Lere Olayinka, Media Aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, over his participation in the singing of Nigeria’s former national anthem.
Obi and supporters of the NDC reportedly sang the old national anthem, Arise, O Compatriots, during a town hall meeting in Lagos State on Thursday.
The former Anambra State governor was joined by the party’s Lagos governorship candidate, Funsho Doherty, and other members of the party in singing the anthem, an action seen as a rejection of the current national anthem.
Reacting in a post on his official X account, Olayinka accused Obi of disrespecting Nigeria’s national anthem and questioned whether the presidential hopeful understood the legal implications of the action.
He argued that the 1999 Constitution, as amended, places an obligation on Nigerians to respect the country’s national symbols and institutions.
Olayinka wrote:
“I am sure this Peter Obi does not know the implications of disrespecting the National Anthem of a country he is seeking to govern.
“Law is law and it must be obeyed by all citizens. But this supporter of IPOB Terrorists was there and he participated in disrespecting Nigeria.
“Section 24 (a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) makes it mandatory for Nigerians to ‘abide by the Constitution, …respect its ideals and its institutions, the National Flag, the National Anthem, the National Pledge, and legitimate authorities.’
“But to Peter Obi and his rebellious gang, the laws of Nigeria must not be obeyed. Nigeria must operates like a jungle just because one PACKAGED FRAUD wants to be President. And Peter Obi claimed to be educated? Sad!”
The remarks have added to the political exchanges surrounding Obi and the NDC following the party’s use of the former national anthem at the Lagos gathering.
