The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused former presidential candidate Peter Obi of disrespecting Nigeria’s national symbols and displaying an attitude he described as lawless by allegedly refusing to stand for the national anthem while standing for the former anthem.
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Wike made the remarks on Friday during a stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State, organised by the Rainbow Coalition to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 and candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
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Addressing traditional rulers, community leaders, youths and party supporters, the minister argued that anyone seeking to become Nigeria’s president should demonstrate respect for the country’s national symbols.
He accused Obi of remaining seated while the current national anthem was being sung at an NDC gathering but standing when the former anthem was performed. Wike claimed the incident raised questions about the former Anambra governor’s commitment to national unity.
The FCT minister also criticised Obi’s political history, alleging that he frequently leaves political parties when internal disagreements arise instead of remaining to resolve them.
He further faulted the former governor for failing to conduct local government elections during his eight-year administration in Anambra State, describing it as inconsistent with his position on the rule of law.
Wike also questioned the records of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who are associated with the opposition coalition.
He specifically raised concerns about the condition of Nigeria’s seaports during Amaechi’s tenure as Minister of Transportation. He also accused the former Rivers administration of demolishing Government Secondary School, Ogu, without rebuilding it and failing to fulfil promises concerning a 1,000-bed specialist hospital.
The minister urged residents to look beyond what he described as elaborate political statements by opposition figures and consider projects and appointments secured for their communities under Tinubu’s administration.
He cited the construction of the Ogu-Bolo Civic Centre, which he linked to the federal appointment of an indigene, Boma Iyaye, as well as the conduct of local government elections.
Wike urged the people to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, Kingsley Chinda for Rivers State governor and APC candidates contesting National Assembly seats.
Earlier, the Chairman of Ogu-Bolo Local Government Council, Vincent Nemieboka, said the meeting brought together traditional rulers, community development executives, youth leaders, women’s groups and elders.
Nemieboka attributed the council’s support for the Rainbow Coalition to projects and political appointments secured for indigenes of the area. He assured Wike of the community’s continued cooperation.
The Amanyanabo of Bolo, King Acheseinimie Frank, also commended the minister, citing infrastructure projects carried out through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
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He listed sand-filling works, internal road construction and the construction and maintenance of the Kira-Ogu-Bolo Road among the projects benefiting the area.
The monarch also referred to three major political appointments secured for indigenes and assured Wike of the community’s appreciation.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Ogu Divisional Council of Chiefs, Chief Lawrence Abeabiari, pledged that voters in the area would support Rainbow Coalition and APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
He disclosed that the community had named two infrastructure locations after Wike in recognition of his contributions. They are Wike Road at Enelechi Phase 1 and the Wike Sandfield.
Speaking on behalf of Ogu-Bolo stakeholders, Professor Lucky Worika also commended Wike for what he described as his contributions to the development and political representation of the area.
Worika thanked Tinubu and Wike for facilitating federal appointments for indigenes, including Boma Iyaye as Executive Director of Finance and Administration at the NDDC, Dame Maureen Tamuno as Managing Director of the Abuja Investment Company, and Senator George Sekibo as Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal Oil and Gas Polytechnic.
He said Iyaye’s position at the NDDC had helped attract 19 ongoing interventions to the local government area.
Among the projects he listed were the reconstruction of Ogu General Hospital, a 70kVA solar power station, the Ele/Opu-ama Link Road, the Kira-Bolo Road, internal roads and streetlights in Ogu and Bolo.
Other interventions, according to him, include sand-filling projects, low-cost housing estates, teachers’ quarters in secondary schools across Ogu, Bolo and Wakama-Ama, scholarships, free medical services and youth skills acquisition programmes.
Worika also recalled projects associated with Wike’s previous public offices, including the reconstruction of Government Secondary School, Ogu, the Kira Bridge, the Ogu-Eteo and Ogu-Wakama link roads, and a landing jetty in Ele Community.
He added that the traditional stools of Ogu and Bolo were elevated to first- and second-class status, respectively, during Wike’s period in public office.
He further cited the renovation of Community Primary School, Ikpo-Ama, and the construction of the facility currently housing Command Science Secondary School in Ogu, following an earlier intervention through the Universal Basic Education Commission.
While acknowledging the area’s maritime, agricultural and tourism potential, Worika drew attention to persistent challenges involving healthcare, potable water, electricity, riverine transportation and environmental sustainability.
He appealed to Wike to use his position and influence to attract more federal projects to the area.
Worika reaffirmed the community’s support for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid and its preferred candidate for Rivers State governor, while pledging continued cooperation with the Rainbow Coalition.
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