Obi's disrespect for national anthem shows he is lawless – Wike
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's national anthem.
He described his action as lawless and capable of dividing the country.
The minister spoke on Friday at a stakeholders' town hall meeting in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State, organised by the Rainbow Coalition.
According to him, Obi's refusal to stand during the singing of the national anthem, while rising for another anthem, raised questions about his commitment to Nigeria's unity.
Wike said it was unacceptable that Obi remained seated while Nigeria's national anthem was being sung but stood up when a different anthem, which he said was not Nigeria's official anthem, was played.
"Obi's action showed that he did not believe in Nigeria and could take steps that would divide the country if elected president," Wike alleged.
"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," he added.
Wike also questioned Obi's political record, accusing the former Anambra State governor of abandoning political parties whenever internal disagreements arise instead of staying to resolve them.
"Obi claims to believe in the rule of law, yet he failed to conduct local government elections throughout his eight years as Anambra governor. What then is his commitment to the rule of law? The same goes for Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi; Nigerians should examine their records while in public office," Wike said.
He questioned their records in public office, particularly Amaechi's tenure as Minister of Transportation, and raised concerns over the state of the country's seaports during that period.
Wike also accused the former Rivers administration of demolishing a Government Secondary School in Ogu without rebuilding it and failing to fulfil a promise to construct a 1,000-bed specialist hospital.
He urged residents to look beyond what he described as the opposition's political promises and consider projects and appointments secured for Ogu-Bolo under the Tinubu administration.
Obi’s disrespect for national anthem shows he is lawless – Wike