Wike criticises Obi over anthem incident at OguBolo meeting

Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike criticised Peter Obi over an alleged national anthem incident and urged residents of OguBolo, Rivers State, to support President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign and All Progressives Congress candidates.

Wike spoke Friday at a stakeholders’ town hall organised by the Rainbow Coalition. He said Obi’s alleged conduct showed disrespect for Nigeria and made him unfit for the presidency. The reports describe the allegation as following a video from an NDC gathering in Lagos, but do not independently establish what the video shows.

Wike said Obi remained seated during the current national anthem and stood when the former anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots,” was sung. He also criticised Obi’s political record, alleging that he left parties during internal disputes and failed to hold local government elections during his eight years as Anambra governor. Those statements were Wike’s characterisations; the reports do not provide responses from Obi.

Wike also challenged former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi’s record, alleging that Government Secondary School, Ogu, was demolished during Amaechi’s administration and not rebuilt, and that...