Lere Olayinka Reacts As Peter Obi Orders Supporters To Sing Old National Anthem At Lagos Town Hall Meeting

Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Lere Olayinka, has criticised the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi over his reported directive to supporters to sing Nigeria’s former national anthem at a town hall meeting in Lagos.

Olayinka accused Obi of disrespecting the country’s national anthem, questioning whether the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate understood the implications of the action while seeking to govern Nigeria.

In a post on social media, Olayinka argued that all citizens, including political leaders and their supporters, were expected to obey the laws of the country.

He cited Section 24(a) of the 1999 Constitution, which lists among the duties of citizens the obligation to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the national flag, national anthem, national pledge and legitimate authorities.

Olayinka also accused Obi of associating with supporters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), describing him as a supporter of the group, while alleging that his followers had shown disregard for Nigerian laws.

He wrote: “I am sure this Peter Obi does not know the implications of disrespecting the National Anthem of a country he is seeking to govern.

“Law is law and it must be obeyed by all citizens. But this supporter of IPOB Terrorists was there and he participated in disrespecting Nigeria.”

The FCT Minister’s aide further accused Obi and his supporters of believing that Nigerian laws should not apply to them, describing the incident as troubling for a politician seeking the country’s presidency.

His comments followed reports that Obi directed supporters at the NDC town hall meeting in Lagos to sing the old national anthem, which was replaced in May 2024 after President Bola Tinubu signed the National Anthem Bill into law.

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