Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has questioned Peter Obi’s commitment to Nigeria, accusing the former Anambra State governor of disrespecting the country’s national symbols.
Wike’s criticism followed an incident at a recent National Democratic Congress (NDC) rally in Lagos, where Obi allegedly remained seated during the singing of Nigeria’s current national anthem but stood when an alternative anthem was performed.
The minister described the action as evidence of a lack of respect for the country, arguing that anyone seeking to become president must demonstrate commitment to national unity and respect for national institutions.
Wike spoke on Friday during a stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State, organised by the Rainbow Coalition to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign and other APC candidates.
“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,” Wike said.
He added that a presidential candidate who disregards Nigeria’s national symbols should not be entrusted with the country’s leadership.
Wike also questioned Obi’s commitment to the rule of law, accusing him of failing to conduct local government elections throughout his eight-year tenure as Anambra State governor.
He further criticised Obi’s political history, alleging that the former governor frequently abandoned political parties whenever disagreements emerged instead of remaining to resolve internal disputes.
The FCT minister also took aim at opposition figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, questioning their records in public office.
Wike particularly criticised Amaechi’s tenure as Minister of Transportation, raising concerns about the condition of seaports. He also alleged that Government Secondary School, Ogu, was demolished without reconstruction and that promises concerning a 1,000-bed specialist hospital were not fulfilled.
He urged residents of Ogu-Bolo to assess the performance of political leaders based on their achievements rather than campaign promises.
Wike cited the construction of the Ogu-Bolo Civic Centre, facilitated through the federal appointment of an indigene, Boma Iyaye, as an example of development benefits associated with the Tinubu administration.
Earlier, Ogu-Bolo Local Government Chairman, Vincent Nemieboka, said the meeting brought together traditional rulers, community development committee executives, youth leaders, women’s groups and other stakeholders to reaffirm their support for the Rainbow Coalition.
He attributed the community’s support to infrastructure projects and political appointments secured for indigenes of the area.
The Amanyanabo of Bolo, King Acheseinimie Frank, also highlighted projects being executed through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), including sand-filling works, internal road construction and the Kira-Ogu-Bolo Road.
Similarly, Chairman of the Ogu Divisional Council of Chiefs, Chief Lawrence Abeabiari, pledged the traditional institution’s support for the coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
Meanwhile, an APC chieftain in Rivers State, Princewill Dike, has disclosed that the 700-member APC Presidential/Rivers Rainbow Coalition Candidates Campaign Council established by Wike is targeting at least four million votes for Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking in Port Harcourt on Friday, Dike described the council as a grassroots mobilisation structure designed to engage voters across Rivers State beyond conventional political rallies.
He said members would be expected to conduct door-to-door campaigns and reach different groups, including traders, transport operators and residents in their communities.
According to him, Wike also plans to establish campaign councils at local government and ward levels to strengthen coordination and expand the mobilisation network.
Dike maintained that the success of the 700-member council would depend on the commitment, discipline and ability of its members to persuade voters.
He expressed confidence that effective grassroots mobilisation could deliver a strong electoral performance for Tinubu and other Rivers Rainbow Coalition candidates in 2027.
