Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), saying he cannot be trusted with Nigeria’s presidency over his alleged disrespect for the country’s national symbols and national unity.

Wike made the remarks on Friday during a stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State. The meeting was organised by the Rainbow Coalition to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates.

The FCT minister argued that Obi’s decision to remain seated while the newly adopted national anthem was being sung at a political gathering in Lagos demonstrated a lack of identification with the country and raised concerns about his suitability to lead Nigeria.

His comments followed a controversy at an NDC town hall meeting in Lagos on Thursday, where Obi and some party supporters reportedly remained seated when the current national anthem was played but later stood to sing the country’s former anthem.

A viral video from the gathering showed Obi, Funso Doherty, the party’s governorship candidate in Lagos State, and other attendees remaining seated when participants were asked to stand for the new national anthem.

The event’s anchor subsequently switched to the former national anthem, which those present sang, while Obi faced the audience and raised two fingers on both hands to form the NDC’s party symbol.

Wike maintained that anyone aspiring to become Nigeria’s president must demonstrate respect for the country’s national identity and symbols.

He argued that Obi’s conduct suggested a lack of commitment to national unity and questioned whether such a person should be entrusted with the country’s leadership.

The minister also challenged Obi’s commitment to democratic principles, accusing the former Anambra State governor of repeatedly leaving political parties whenever internal disagreements or crises emerged instead of remaining to resolve the problems.

He further criticised Obi for failing to conduct local government elections throughout his eight-year administration in Anambra State, describing the development as inconsistent with his professed commitment to the rule of law.

Wike also extended his criticism to the opposition alliance involving former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, questioning their performances while holding public offices.

He specifically raised concerns about the condition of Nigeria’s seaports during Amaechi’s tenure as Minister of Transportation.

The FCT minister also alleged that Government Secondary School, Ogu, was demolished without being reconstructed and questioned the non-fulfilment of promises to establish a 1,000-bed specialist hospital during Amaechi’s tenure as Rivers State governor.

Wike urged residents of Ogu-Bolo to look beyond statements made by opposition politicians on television, insisting that the Tinubu administration had delivered meaningful development projects to the community.

He identified the construction of the Ogu-Bolo Civic Centre and the appointment of Boma Iyaye, an indigene of the area, to a federal position as examples of the benefits the community had received.

The minister called on residents to support President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, alongside Kingsley Chinda’s governorship ambition in Rivers State and APC candidates contesting National Assembly seats.# **Wike Questions Obi’s Presidential Credibility Over National Anthem Controversy**

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), saying he cannot be trusted with Nigeria’s presidency over his alleged disrespect for the country’s national symbols and national unity.

Wike made the remarks on Friday during a stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State. The meeting was organised by the Rainbow Coalition to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates.

The FCT minister argued that Obi’s decision to remain seated while the newly adopted national anthem was being sung at a political gathering in Lagos demonstrated a lack of identification with the country and raised concerns about his suitability to lead Nigeria.

His comments followed a controversy at an NDC town hall meeting in Lagos on Thursday, where Obi and some party supporters reportedly remained seated when the current national anthem was played but later stood to sing the country’s former anthem.

A viral video from the gathering showed Obi, Funso Doherty, the party’s governorship candidate in Lagos State, and other attendees remaining seated when participants were asked to stand for the new national anthem.

The event’s anchor subsequently switched to the former national anthem, which those present sang, while Obi faced the audience and raised two fingers on both hands to form the NDC’s party symbol.

Wike maintained that anyone aspiring to become Nigeria’s president must demonstrate respect for the country’s national identity and symbols.

He argued that Obi’s conduct suggested a lack of commitment to national unity and questioned whether such a person should be entrusted with the country’s leadership.

The minister also challenged Obi’s commitment to democratic principles, accusing the former Anambra State governor of repeatedly leaving political parties whenever internal disagreements or crises emerged instead of remaining to resolve the problems.

He further criticised Obi for failing to conduct local government elections throughout his eight-year administration in Anambra State, describing the development as inconsistent with his professed commitment to the rule of law.

Wike also extended his criticism to the opposition alliance involving former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, questioning their performances while holding public offices.

He specifically raised concerns about the condition of Nigeria’s seaports during Amaechi’s tenure as Minister of Transportation.

The FCT minister also alleged that Government Secondary School, Ogu, was demolished without being reconstructed and questioned the non-fulfilment of promises to establish a 1,000-bed specialist hospital during Amaechi’s tenure as Rivers State governor.

Wike urged residents of Ogu-Bolo to look beyond statements made by opposition politicians on television, insisting that the Tinubu administration had delivered meaningful development projects to the community.

He identified the construction of the Ogu-Bolo Civic Centre and the appointment of Boma Iyaye, an indigene of the area, to a federal position as examples of the benefits the community had received.

The minister called on residents to support President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, alongside Kingsley Chinda’s governorship ambition in Rivers State and APC candidates contesting National Assembly seats.