2027: Wike Criticises Obi Over National Anthem Snub At NDC Lagos Town Hall Meeting

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, demonstrated lawlessness and an intent to divide Nigeria by allegedly refusing to recite the official one.

Wike made these remarks on Friday, during a stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State, organised under the banner of 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 faithful, the FCT minister argued that a leader who disregards national symbols cannot 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 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,” the minister said.

Wike further criticised Obi’s political trajectory and past governance record, alleging that the former Anambra State governor frequently abandons political parties whenever internal crises arise, rather than staying to resolve them.

He also 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, the FCT Minister took aim at the opposition coalition involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

Wike questioned their track records in public office, specifically 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, alongside unfulfilled promises regarding 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 Bola 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, Boma Iyaye—as well as the conduct of local government elections.

He urged people in the area to massively support the re-election of Tinubu, Kingsley Chinda for Governor of Rivers State and all the APC candidates seeking National Assembly seats.

Earlier, Chairman of the council, Vincent Nemieboka, said that the gathering brought together the core leadership structure of the council, including traditional rulers, Community Development Committee (CDC) executives, youth leaders, women groups, and elders.

According to Nemieboka, the council’s support for the coalition leader is anchored on tangible projects and key political appointments facilitated for indigenous people 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,” he said.

Also addressing the gathering, the Amanyanabo of Bolo, King Acheseinimie Frank, corroborated the council chairman’s remarks, pointing to visible infrastructure development across the area executed through the NDDC.

The monarch listed ongoing sandfilling projects, internal road constructions within Ogu-Bolo, and the construction and maintenance of the Kira–Ogu-Bolo road as evidence of the administration’s impact.

Frank further noted that Ogu-Bolo had benefited significantly from three major political appointments facilitated through the coalition leader’s office and assured Wike of the community’s gratitude and goodwill.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Ogu Divisional Council of Chiefs, Chief Lawrence Abeabiari, reaffirmed the traditional institution’s loyalty, pledging that the electorate in the area would deliver votes for all Rainbow Coalition and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates.

Abeabiari also disclosed that in recognition of the coalition leader’s contributions to the area, the community had named two prominent infrastructure sites after him: Wike Road at Enelechi Phase 1 and the Wike Sandfield.

“Your Excellency, go home and sleep. Without doubt, by noon on January 16, 2027, all candidates will be delivered,” he said.

On his part, Lucky Worika, who spoke on behalf of the stakeholders of Ogu-Bolo LGA, commended Wike for his enduring developmental impact and political empowerment of their indigenes, while declaring their total support for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

Describing the visit as a milestone for political cooperation and mutual progress, Worika, a professor, noted that Wike’s tenure as Governor of Rivers State and his current assignment in Abuja have brought unprecedented visibility and federal presence to Ogu-Bolo.

He expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu and Wike for facilitating key federal appointments for illustrious sons and daughters of the area.

He specifically highlighted the appointments of Alabo Boma Iyaye as Executive Director of Finance and Administration at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); Dame Maureen Tamuno as Managing Director of the Abuja Investment Company; and Senator George Sekibo as Chairman of the Governing Council, Federal Oil and Gas Polytechnic.

According to him, the strategic placement of Boma Iyaye at the NDDC has unlocked 19 major ongoing interventions across the LGA.

He identified some of the projects to include the reconstruction of Ogu General Hospital alongside a 70kVA solar power station, the Ele/Opu-ama Link Road, Kira/Bolo Road, internal roads and streetlights in Ogu and Bolo.

Others, he said, were the sand-filling projects, low-cost housing estates, teachers’ quarters across secondary schools in Ogu, Bolo, and Wakama-Ama, as well as scholarships, free medical missions, and youth skill acquisition programmes.

Worika also recalled Wike’s past achievements in the area, both as Governor of Rivers State and previously as Minister of State for Education.

Among the legacy projects listed were the reconstruction of Government Secondary School (GSS) Ogu, the Kira Bridge, the Ogu/Eteo and Ogu/Wakama Link Roads, a landing jetty in Ele Community, and the elevation of the traditional stools of Ogu and Bolo to first- and second-class status, respectively.

Furthermore, through his earlier intervention at the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the area benefited from the renovation of Community Primary School, Ikpo-Ama, and the construction of the facility currently housing the Command Science Secondary School in Ogu.

While acknowledging Ogu/Bolo’s rich maritime, agricultural, and tourism potential, Worika drew the minister’s attention to persistent riverine challenges, including healthcare access, potable water, electricity, maritime transport, and environmental sustainability.

He urged Wike to continue using his national influence to attract greater federal investment to the area.

Reaffirming the community’s commitment to peace, unity, and youth enterprise, Worika announced their political roadmap ahead of the next general elections.

“On our part, we pledge our continuing loyalty and indefatigable support for our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election, and Hon. O.K. Chinda as Governor of Rivers State in 2027, as well as your political aspirations,” the address stated.

The ceremony concluded with traditional expressions of goodwill, as the people of Ogu/Bolo warmly welcomed the Minister with the traditional greeting, “Ibosa,” affirming that he was among his own people.