Omokri Knocks Obi, Supporters for Reciting Old National Anthem

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has criticised the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, and supporters of the party for reciting the country’s former national anthem at a town hall meeting in Lagos.

Omokri made his position known in a statement on Friday, November 13, following an incident at the NDC gathering held in the Oregun area of Lagos State on Thursday.

Obi, alongside the party’s Lagos governorship candidate, Funso Doherty, and other attendees, reportedly declined to stand for the recital of the current national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”.

The event moderator subsequently switched to the former anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots”, which Obi and other supporters sang.

Reacting to the development, Omokri described the Constitution, national anthem and national football team as apolitical symbols that unite Nigerians.

He argued that citizens seeking public office should demonstrate respect for the country’s national symbols and constitutional provisions.

“The Constitution, National Anthem and the National Football Team are three apolitical symbols that unite all Nigerians,” Omokri said.

He questioned how Nigerians could entrust their future to individuals who, in his view, openly disregard the national anthem and other symbols of the country.

Omokri also cited Section 24(a) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which requires Nigerian citizens to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals, institutions, national symbols and legitimate authorities.

The controversy centres on the National Anthem Act 2024, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2024. The legislation restored “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”, which served as the national anthem from independence in 1960 until it was replaced by “Arise, O Compatriots” in 1978.

The incident has generated political reactions, with other government-aligned figures also criticising Obi and the NDC over their participation in the recital of the former anthem.

Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party, is now the NDC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, with former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate.