The National Patriots has criticised Peter Obi’s reported participation in the rejection of Nigeria’s current national anthem at a Lagos town hall meeting, describing the episode as a troubling example for supporters and young Nigerians.
Reports published on November 13 state that Obi, Funso Doherty and supporters at the November 12 gathering sang the former anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots”, after attendees rejected the current anthem. Headlinenews.news reported that Obi joined the display with raised party gestures. These reports establish a specific incident; they do not establish that this happens at all his town hall meetings.
The National Patriots’ position is straightforward: disagreement with President Bola Tinubu should not turn Nigeria’s national symbols into instruments of partisan rejection.
“Nigeria, We Hail Thee” became the official anthem again through legislation signed on May 29, 2024. Whatever citizens think of that decision, the anthem represents the Federal Republic of Nigeria, rather than the personal property of a president or political party.
There is a clear constitutional principle involved. Section 24(a) identifies respect for the national anthem among citizens’ duties. A political leader seeking national office should take that responsibility seriously and encourage supporters to distinguish opposition to an administration from respect for the country’s institutions and symbols.
The legal position must nevertheless be stated accurately. Section 24 falls within Chapter II, whose provisions are generally not independently enforceable in court. Section 36(12) also requires a defined offence and prescribed penalty in written law before a criminal conviction. The separate 2024 proposal to punish refusal to recite the anthem was withdrawn. Consequently, this incident should not casually be labelled a prosecutable act of rebellion.
That distinction does not remove the question of leadership judgment. Conduct can deserve public criticism without constituting a crime.
Citizens may criticise the anthem’s restoration and advocate its replacement through democratic processes. Equally, Nigerians may ask whether publicly endorsing its rejection sets a responsible example or encourages supporters to treat shared national symbols as acceptable only when their preferred party governs.
The National Patriots calls on Obi to clarify his position and demonstrate that political disagreement can coexist with respect for national institutions.
Leadership requires the discipline to uphold a shared Nigeria, even in opposition. That standard should apply equally to every party and every presidential aspirant.
Princess Gloria Adebajo-Fraser, MFR
President, National Patriots
Member, APC-PCC Strategic Communications Team 2027
