“He Does Not Believe in Nigeria”: Wike Blasts Obi Over Anthem

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has accused Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi of disrespecting Nigeria and threatening national unity over his alleged refusal to stand during the national anthem.

The accusation was made on Friday, November 13, 2026, at a stakeholders’ town hall in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State, organised under the Rainbow Coalition to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, ValidViewNetwork reports .

THE ACCUSATION

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Wike did not mince words. “A whole national anthem of a country is being sung. A man who wants to be President of Nigeria would disobey and sit down. And then not only that, when a different national anthem that is not being used for Nigeria [was sung], he stood up,” Wike said.

“In a way, he does not belong to this country. In a way, he has said he does not belong to this country; that if you give him the president, he would do a different thing that will divide Nigeria”. “A man who does not believe in Nigeria, someone who derives joy in ridiculing the country by disrespecting its symbolic National Anthem must not be allowed to come near the presidency of our country”.

THE CONTEXT

The controversy stems from a town hall meeting in Lagos on Thursday, November 12, 2026.

In a viral video from the event, Obi, alongside Funso Doherty, the NDC governorship candidate in Lagos, and other supporters, remained seated when attendees were asked to stand for the new national anthem .

The event anchor subsequently switched to the old anthem, which the attendees recited. Obi faced the crowd as they sang and raised two fingers on both hands to form the NDC logo .

THE BROADER ATTACK

Wike did not limit his criticism to the anthem. He also questioned Obi’s political record, accusing the former Anambra State governor of abandoning political parties whenever internal crises emerged rather than remaining to resolve them .

He further faulted him for not conducting local government elections during his eight-year tenure as governor, describing it as inconsistent with his professed commitment to the rule of law .

The FCT minister also criticised opposition figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi.

He questioned their records in public office, citing the condition of the nation’s seaports during Amaechi’s tenure as Minister of Transportation.

He urged Ogu-Bolo residents to disregard the opposition’s “big grammar” on television, insisting that Tinubu’s administration had delivered tangible projects and political appointments to the area .

THE ANALYTICAL LENS

Wike’s attack on Obi is political theatre, but it is also a window into the tactics that will define the 2027 campaign.

By framing Obi’s alleged refusal to stand for the national anthem as a sign of disloyalty, Wike is appealing to the most visceral form of patriotism. It is a charge that is difficult to disprove, because it is not about policy or performance. It is about symbols, and the emotions they evoke.

But the attack also raises questions about Wike himself. He is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, serving in an All Progressives Congress administration, and campaigning for the APC’s presidential candidate.

His own political journey has been marked by defections and realignments. By questioning Obi’s loyalty, he invites scrutiny of his own.

For Obi, the incident is a distraction. His campaign is built on competence and economic management, not on symbolic gestures.

But in Nigerian politics, symbols matter. And Wike knows it.

The anthem has been sung. The accusation has been made. And the 2027 campaign has found its latest flashpoint. ValidViewNetwork reports.