Reno Omokri, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mexico, has publicly criticised Peter Obi and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for reciting the country's former national anthem at a recent town hall meeting in Lagos. According to Punch, the incident took place on Thursday in the Oregun area of Lagos State, where attendees, including Obi, sang 'Arise, O Compatriots' instead of the current version. The event was organised by the NDC, the party for which Obi is the presidential candidate in the upcoming 2027 election.
Omokri issued a statement on Friday following the gathering. He argued that the Constitution, the national anthem, and the national football team are apolitical symbols that unite all Nigerians. He warned that individuals who openly disrespect these symbols should not expect citizens to entrust them with the nation's leadership. The ambassador cited Section 24(a) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which mandates citizens to respect national symbols and legitimate authorities. He stated that the authority to determine the national anthem rests with the President and the National Assembly.
The controversy arises from the National Anthem Act 2024, which President Bola Tinubu signed into law on May 29, 2024. This legislation restored 'Nigeria, We Hail Thee', the anthem used from independence in 1960 until it was replaced by 'Arise, O Compatriots' in 1978. Punch reported that the moderator at the Lagos town hall switched the song, leading the crowd to recite the former anthem. Obi, who previously contested the 2023 presidential election on the Labour Party platform, is now running with Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor, as his running mate.
In his statement, Omokri questioned the political aspirations of those who disregard constitutional provisions. He asked, "If you won’t respect your homeland’s National Football Team," and "If you won’t respect your nation’s National Anthem," how can Nigerians trust them with their fate? The ambassador emphasised that respecting the country's symbols is a duty of every citizen. He suggested that a willingness to reject these unifying elements indicates a lack of suitability for national leadership. The incident has sparked debate over the observance of national laws and the role of political figures in setting examples for civic duty. Punch noted that the event highlighted the ongoing tension between political allegiances and national symbols in Nigeria's evolving democratic landscape.