The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, of disrespecting Nigeria and promoting division by allegedly singing the old national anthem at the Lagos town hall meeting.
Wike made the remarks on Friday during a stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State, organised by the Rainbow Coalition to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates.
Addressing traditional rulers, community leaders, youths and party supporters, Wike argued that Obi’s alleged conduct demonstrated that he lacked respect for Nigeria’s national symbols and was unfit to become president.
“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 the 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 FCT minister also questioned Obi’s political consistency, alleging that the former Anambra State governor frequently abandons political parties whenever they experience internal crises instead of remaining to resolve their differences.
He further criticised Obi for failing to conduct local government elections throughout his eight-year tenure as governor, describing the action as inconsistent with his professed commitment to the rule of law.
Wike also took aim at the opposition alliance involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
He questioned their records in public office, particularly the condition of seaports during Amaechi’s tenure as Minister of Transportation.
The minister also alleged that the administration demolished Government Secondary School, Ogu, without rebuilding it and failed to fulfil promises concerning a 1,000-bed specialist hospital.
Urging residents to disregard what he described as the opposition’s “big grammar” on television, Wike maintained that Tinubu’s administration had delivered development projects and political appointments to Ogu-Bolo.
He cited the construction of the Ogu-Bolo Civic Centre, facilitated through the appointment of an indigene, Boma Iyaye, to a federal position, as well as the conduct of local government elections.
Wike urged residents to support Tinubu’s re-election, Kingsley Chinda’s governorship ambition in Rivers State and all APC candidates contesting National Assembly seats.
Earlier, Ogu-Bolo Local Government Chairman, Vincent Nemieboka, said the meeting brought together traditional rulers, Community Development Committee executives, youth leaders, women groups and elders.
He attributed the council’s support for Wike-led political mobilisation to development projects and political appointments secured for indigenes of the area.
“I will not be boasting if I say you should consider everybody here as your supporter.
“Considering the volume of things, projects, and appointments you have implemented in this local government area, we will be glad to welcome you always, support you always, and follow you always,” Nemieboka said.
The Amanyanabo of Bolo, King Acheseinimie Frank, also commended the development projects executed across the area through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
He listed ongoing sand-filling projects, internal road construction in Ogu-Bolo and the construction and maintenance of the Kira–Ogu-Bolo Road as evidence of the administration’s impact.
The monarch also said the area had benefited from three major political appointments facilitated through Wike’s office, assuring him of the community’s continued support.