By Kazeem Waris
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has taken a swipe at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over his criticism of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, accusing him of diverting attention from the economic hardship and alleged failures of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
The party asked Wike to stop distracting Nigerians with controversies surrounding the rendition of the old national anthem at Obi’s town hall meeting in Lagos, insisting that the focus ahead of the January 16, 2027 election should be on the economy and the worsening living conditions of citizens.
The NDC said the minister lacked the moral authority to lecture others on national unity, political tolerance and responsible leadership, given what it described as his controversial political activities in Rivers State and across party lines.
In a statement issued yesterday by the Spokesperson of the NDC National Campaign Council, Dr Chiogo Constance Ikokwu, the party described Wike’s criticism of Obi as misplaced and an attempt to divert public attention from issues affecting Nigerians.
The party’s reaction followed Wike’s accusation that Obi’s failure to stand during the rendition of the national anthem, while rising for a different anthem, demonstrated lawlessness and an attempt to divide the country.
Wike had made the remarks at a stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State, organised under the Rainbow Coalition to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid and APC candidates in 2027.
Reacting, Ikokwu said it was ironic that Wike would assume the position of a moral authority on political unity despite his own political controversies.
She said: “I read from the media that Minister Nyesom Wike has accused the Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, of causing division and lawlessness due to the rendition of the old national anthem by NDC supporters in Lagos yesterday during Mr Obi’s town hall meeting.
“Can you imagine? If this report is true, Minister Wike needs to look in the mirror.
“It is extraordinary that someone whose political conduct in and outside Rivers State has been widely associated with deep divisions, political upheaval and prolonged instability, can suddenly appoint himself the moral referee of Nigerian politics.”
The party also accused the minister of contributing to political divisions through his activities surrounding the 2023 presidential election in Rivers State and his political engagements across the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APC.
According to Ikokwu, Wike should put his political house in order before attempting to question the conduct of other political actors.
“His role in the political controversies surrounding the 2023 presidential election in Rivers, his open political maneuvering across party lines – PDP/APC – and the confusion his actions have generated make his latest sermon particularly difficult to take seriously.
“You cannot be an arsonist in your own backyard and turn up elsewhere preaching fire safety.
“Minister Wike has no moral authority to lecture others on political tolerance, unity or responsible leadership. He should put his own house in order before attempting to police the conduct of others,” she said.
On the controversy surrounding the old national anthem, the NDC maintained that its rendition during Obi’s Lagos town hall meeting was spontaneous and initiated by supporters rather than being part of any planned political programme.
Ikokwu said the incident should not be interpreted as an attempt by the party or its presidential candidate to undermine national unity.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the rendition of the old national anthem in Lagos was entirely impromptu, initiated by the people themselves. It was not scripted, orchestrated or planned by anyone.
“It was simply in the moment, as expressed by citizens, nothing more, nothing less. And if you watched another part of the video, they went on to sing the current national anthem,” she explained.
The NDC spokesperson challenged Wike to redirect his attention towards the economic challenges confronting Nigerians rather than engaging in what the party described as unnecessary political distractions.
She argued that the cost of living, economic hardship and the impact of government policies should dominate political conversations ahead of the 2027 general election.
“Minister Wike should stop distracting Nigerians from the gargantuan failures of the government he’s trying very hard to sell.
“We need to focus on the issues that matter to Nigerians in this election – the economy, and the crippling hardship inflicted by the APC government,” Ikokwu said.
The exchange adds to the growing political rhetoric ahead of the 2027 general election, with the national anthem controversy providing fresh grounds for disagreement between supporters of Obi and the FCT minister.
