MINISTER of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has critised the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi,for allegedly refusing to stand for the national anthem.
Wike made the remark on Friday at a stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers, organised by the Rainbow Coalition to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates.
The minister’s comments followed a viral video from the NDC meeting in Lagos on Thursday, where Obi, Lagos governorship candidate, Mr Funso Doherty and party supporters declined to recite the current national anthem, and instead sang the former anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots”.
Addressing traditional rulers, community leaders, youths, and party faithful, the minister argued that a leader who disregarded national symbols could not be trusted with the presidency.
“A whole national anthem of a country is being sung. A man who wants to be President of Nigeria would disobey and sit down. And then not only that, when a different national anthem that is not being used for Nigeria was sung, he stood up.
“In a way, he does not belong to this country. In a way, he has said he does not belong to this country; that if you give him president, he would do a different thing that will divide Nigeria.
“A man who does not believe in Nigeria, someone who derives joy in ridiculing the country by disrespecting its symbolic National Anthem must not be allowed to come near the presidency of our country,” Wike said.
The minister also criticised Obi’s political trajectory and past governance record, alleging that the former Anambra governor frequently abandoned political parties during internal crises rather than resolving them.
He further faulted Obi for not conducting local government elections during his eight-year tenure as governor, describing it as a contradiction to his professed belief in the rule of law.
In addition to targeting Obi, Wike criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers Governor, Mr Rotimi Amaechi.
He questioned their track records in public office, citing the state of seaports during Amaechi’s tenure as Minister of Transportation and alleging that the administration demolished Government Secondary School, Ogu, without rebuilding it.
He also cited Amaechi’s unfulfilled promise of a 1,000-bed specialist hospital.
Urging the people of Ogu-Bolo to disregard what he termed “big grammar” from opposition politicians on television, Wike maintained that President Tinubu’s administration had delivered tangible dividends of democracy to the area.
He pointed to the construction of the Ogu-Bolo Civic Centre, facilitated through the federal appointment of an indigene, Mr Boma Iyaye, as well as the restoration of local government autonomy that enabled the election of council chairmen.
Wike urged the residents to massively support the re-election of Tinubu, Mr Kingsley Chinda for Governor of Rivers, and all APC candidates seeking National Assembly seats.
Earlier, the Chairman of the council, Mr Vincent Nemieboka, said the gathering brought together traditional rulers, Community Development Committee (CDC) executives, youth leaders, women groups, and elders.
Nemieboka said the council’s support for Wike was anchored on tangible projects and key political appointments facilitated for indigenous people of the area.
“Considering the volume of things, projects, and appointments you have directed to be implemented in this local government area, we will be glad to welcome you always, support you always, and follow you always,” he said.
Also speaking, the Amanyanabo of Bolo, King Acheseinimie Frank, corroborated the council chairman’s remarks, pointing to ongoing sand-filling projects, internal road constructions, and the maintenance of the Kira–Ogu-Bolo road executed through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Frank noted that Ogu-Bolo had benefited from three major political appointments facilitated through Wike’s office and assured him of the community’s gratitude.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Ogu Divisional Council of Chiefs, Chief Lawrence Abeabiari, pledged that the electorate in the area would deliver votes for all Rainbow Coalition and APC candidates.
Abeabiari disclosed that the community had named a road at Enelechi Phase 1 and the Sandfield project after the minister.
“Your Excellency, go home and sleep. Without doubt, by noon on Jan. 16, 2027, all candidates will be delivered,” Abeabiari said.
Speaking on behalf of Ogu-Bolo stakeholders, Prof. Lucky Worika commended Wike for attracting federal presence to the area and thanked President Tinubu for appointing indigenes to key positions.
Worika listed the appointees to include Alabo Boma Iyaye as Executive Director of Finance and Administration at the NDDC; Dame Maureen Tamuno as Managing Director of the Abuja Investment Company; and Sen. George Sekibo as Chairman of the Governing Council, Federal Oil and Gas Polytechnic.
He noted that Iyaye’s placement at the NDDC had unlocked 19 ongoing interventions across the local government, including the reconstruction of Ogu General Hospital with a 70kVA solar power station, the Ele/Opu-ama Link Road, Kira/Bolo Road, low-cost housing estates, scholarships, and free medical missions.
Worika also recalled Wike’s legacy projects as Rivers governor and Minister of State for Education, including the reconstruction of Government Secondary School, Ogu, the Kira Bridge, and the elevation of the traditional stools of Ogu and Bolo to first- and second-class status.
While drawing the minister’s attention to riverine challenges such as healthcare access, potable water, and maritime transport, Worika reaffirmed the stakeholders’ support for Tinubu’s re-election and Chinda’s governorship bid in 2027. (NAN)
