Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has faulted Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi and party supporters for reciting the former national anthem at a recent town hall meeting in Lagos.
The incident occurred on Thursday at an NDC event in the Oregun area of Lagos, where Obi and attendees sang “Arise, O Compatriots” instead of the current official anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.” The switch reportedly happened after the event moderator moved away from the present version.In a statement released on Friday, Omokri described the Constitution, the national anthem, and the national football team as apolitical symbols that unite Nigerians.
He argued that anyone who openly disrespects these symbols should not expect the public to trust them with national leadership.Omokri referenced Section 24(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which requires citizens to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals, institutions, national symbols, and legitimate authorities. He stressed that the power to determine the national anthem lies with the President and the National Assembly.
“The Constitution, National Anthem and the National Football Team are three apolitical symbols that unite all Nigerians,” Omokri said. “If you are prepared to openly and unapologetically disrespect these symbols, then what should Nigerians expect from you?”He further questioned: “If you won’t respect your country’s Constitution. If you won’t respect your homeland’s National Football Team. If you won’t respect your nation’s National Anthem.
How do you expect 235 million Nigerians to entrust you with their fate?”The current anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” was restored under the National Anthem Act 2024, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2024. It had served as Nigeria’s anthem from independence in 1960 until it was replaced by “Arise, O Compatriots” in 1978.Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, is the NDC’s flagbearer for the 2027 election, with former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate.
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