Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Friday lashed out at the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, declaring that his refusal to stand for the Nigerian national anthem—while rising for a different anthem—demonstrates lawlessness and a deliberate agenda to divide the country.
Wike made the remarks at a stakeholders’ town hall in the Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State. The event was organized under the auspices of the Rainbow Coalition to mobilize grassroots support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid and candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“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 presidency, 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,” he told traditional rulers, community leaders, youths, and party faithful.
Wike also attacked Obi’s political track record, alleging that the former Anambra State governor routinely abandons political parties when internal crises arise, rather than staying to resolve them.
Furthermore, he faulted Obi for failing to conduct local government elections during his eight years as governor, describing the omission as a stark contradiction of his professed belief in the rule of law.
Shifting his focus to the opposition coalition involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Wike questioned their administrative legacies. He cited the poor state of the nation’s seaports during Amaechi’s tenure as Minister of Transportation, alleged that the Amaechi administration demolished Government Secondary School (GSS), Ogu, without rebuilding it, and claimed that a promised 1,000-bed specialist hospital was left unfulfilled.
The minister urged the people of Ogu-Bolo to ignore what he termed the “big grammar” of opposition politicians on television. He maintained that the Tinubu administration has delivered tangible dividends of democracy to the area, highlighting the Ogu-Bolo Civic Centre—facilitated through the federal appointment of an indigene, Boma Iyaye—and the successful conduct of local government elections.
Wike called on residents to vote massively for President Tinubu, Mr. Kingsley Chinda for Governor of Rivers State, and all APC candidates seeking National Assembly seats.
Earlier, the Chairman of the council, Mr. Vincent Nemieboka, noted that the gathering brought together the area’s core leadership, including traditional rulers, Community Development Committee (CDC) executives, youth leaders, women’s groups, and elders.
Nemieboka stated that the community’s steadfast support for Wike is anchored on the visible projects and appointments secured for indigenes. “Considering the volume of things, projects, and appointments you have implemented in this local government area, we will be glad to welcome you always, support you always, and follow you always,” he said.
The Amanyanabo of Bolo, King Acheseinimie Frank, cited numerous infrastructure projects executed through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), including sandfilling works, internal roads in Ogu-Bolo, and the construction and maintenance of the Kira–Ogu-Bolo road. King Frank added that Ogu-Bolo has also gained three major political appointments through Wike’s influence, assuring the minister of the community’s deep gratitude and goodwill.
Chairman of the Ogu Divisional Council of Chiefs, Chief Lawrence Abeabiari, revealed that the community has named two local landmarks after Wike: Wike Road at Enelechi Phase 1 and the Wike Sandfield.
Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders, Prof. Lucky Worika declared that Wike’s tenure as Rivers State governor and his current role in Abuja have brought “unprecedented” federal presence to Ogu-Bolo. He thanked President Tinubu and Wike for elevating sons and daughters of the soil to key federal positions.
Worika listed the beneficiaries to include Alabo Boma Iyaye, Executive Director of Finance and Administration at the NDDC; Dame Maureen Tamuno, Managing Director of the Abuja Investment Company; and Senator George Sekibo, Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal Oil and Gas Polytechnic.
According to Worika, Iyaye’s placement at the NDDC has unlocked 19 major ongoing interventions across the LGA. These include the reconstruction of the Ogu General Hospital equipped with a 70kVA solar power station, the Ele/Opu-ama Link Road, the Kira/Bolo Road, as well as internal roads and streetlights in Ogu and Bolo.
Other completed or ongoing projects, he noted, include sand-filling initiatives, low-cost housing estates, teachers’ quarters in secondary schools across Ogu, Bolo, and Wakama-Ama, alongside scholarships, free medical missions, and youth skill acquisition programs.
Worika also recalled Wike’s earlier developmental strides as governor and as Minister of State for Education, which included the reconstruction of GSS Ogu, the Kira Bridge, the Ogu/Eteo and Ogu/Wakama Link Roads, a landing jetty in Ele Community, and the elevation of the traditional stools of Ogu and Bolo to first- and second-class status. Through Wike’s intervention at the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the area also secured a renovated Community Primary School in Ikpo-Ama and the facility housing the Command Science Secondary School in Ogu.
However, Worika drew the minister’s attention to persistent riverine challenges, including healthcare access, potable water, electricity, maritime transport, and environmental sustainability, urging Wike to leverage his national influence to attract further federal investment.
“On our part, we pledge our continuing loyalty and indefatigable support for our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election, and Hon. O.K. Chinda as Governor of Rivers State in 2027, as well as your political aspirations,” the address stated.
Concluding the event, Chief Abeabiari assured the minister that the local electorate would deliver a 100% victory for all Rainbow Coalition and APC candidates.
“Your Excellency, go home and sleep. Without doubt, by noon on Jan. 16, 2027, all candidates will be delivered,” he declared.
