The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, of demonstrating lawlessness and undermining national unity by allegedly refusing to recite the national anthem.

Wike made the remarks on Friday during a stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State. The meeting was organised under the banner of the Rainbow Coalition to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 and candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Addressing traditional rulers, community leaders, youths, and party supporters, the FCT minister argued that anyone who disregarded national symbols could not be trusted with the country’s presidency.

“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.

“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 minister said.

Wike also criticised Obi’s political history and record in public office, alleging that the former Anambra State governor frequently abandoned political parties whenever internal crises arose instead of remaining to resolve them.

He faulted Obi for failing to conduct local government elections during his eight-year tenure as governor, describing the decision as inconsistent with his professed commitment to the rule of law.

The FCT minister also turned his attention to the opposition coalition involving former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

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

He also alleged that the administration demolished Government Secondary School, Ogu, without rebuilding it, while failing to fulfil promises concerning a 1,000-bed specialist hospital.

Urging residents of Ogu-Bolo to disregard what he described as the “big grammar” used by opposition politicians on television, Wike maintained that President Tinubu’s administration had delivered tangible dividends of democracy to the area.

He cited the construction of the Ogu-Bolo Civic Centre, facilitated through the federal appointment of an indigene, Boma Iyaye, as well as the conduct of local government elections.

Wike urged residents to give overwhelming support to Tinubu’s re-election bid, Kingsley Chinda’s ambition to become governor of Rivers State, and all APC candidates contesting National Assembly seats.

Earlier, the council chairman, Vincent Nemieboka, said the gathering brought together the council’s core leadership, including traditional rulers, Community Development Committee (CDC) executives, youth leaders, women’s groups, and elders.

According to Nemieboka, the council’s support for the coalition leader was based on tangible development projects and key political appointments secured for indigenes of the area.

“I will not be boasting if I say you should consider everybody here as your supporter.

“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.

Also speaking, the Amanyanabo of Bolo, King Acheseinimie Frank, corroborated the council chairman’s remarks, pointing to visible infrastructure development across the area through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The monarch listed ongoing sand-filling projects, the construction of internal roads in Ogu-Bolo, and the construction and maintenance of the Kira-Ogu-Bolo Road as evidence of the administration’s impact.

Frank further noted that Ogu-Bolo had benefited significantly from three major political appointments facilitated through the coalition leader’s office. He assured Wike of the community’s gratitude and goodwill.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Ogu Divisional Council of Chiefs, Chief Lawrence Abeabiari, reaffirmed the traditional institution’s loyalty, pledging that voters in the area would support all Rainbow Coalition and APC candidates.

Abeabiari also disclosed that, in recognition of the coalition leader’s contributions to the area, the community had named two prominent infrastructure projects after him: Wike Road at Enelechi Phase 1 and the Wike Sandfield.

“Your Excellency, go home and sleep. Without doubt, by noon on January 16, 2027, all candidates will be delivered,” he said.

Similarly, Lucky Worika, who spoke on behalf of Ogu-Bolo stakeholders, commended Wike for his developmental contributions and political empowerment of indigenes of the area, while declaring their support for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

Describing the visit as a milestone in political cooperation and mutual progress, Worika, a professor, said Wike’s tenure as governor of Rivers State and his current assignment in Abuja had brought unprecedented visibility and federal presence to Ogu-Bolo.

He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and Wike for facilitating key federal appointments for distinguished sons and daughters of the area.

He specifically highlighted the appointments of Alabo 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.

According to him, the appointment of Boma Iyaye to the NDDC had helped facilitate 19 major ongoing development interventions across the local government area.

He listed the projects to include the reconstruction of Ogu General Hospital, alongside a 70kVA solar power station; the Ele/Opu-Ama Link Road; the Kira-Bolo Road; and internal roads and streetlights in Ogu and Bolo.

Other interventions, he said, included sand-filling projects, low-cost housing estates, teachers’ quarters in secondary schools across Ogu, Bolo, and Wakama-Ama, as well as scholarships, free medical missions, and youth skills acquisition programmes.

Worika also recalled Wike’s previous contributions to the area, both as governor of Rivers State and as Minister of State for Education.

Among the legacy projects he listed were the reconstruction of Government Secondary School, 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, respectively.

He added that, through Wike’s earlier intervention at the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the area had benefited from the renovation of Community Primary School, Ikpo-Ama, and the construction of the facility currently housing Command Science Secondary School in Ogu.

While acknowledging Ogu-Bolo’s maritime, agricultural, and tourism potential, Worika drew the minister’s attention to persistent challenges in the riverine communities, including limited access to healthcare, potable water, electricity, and maritime transportation, as well as environmental sustainability concerns.

He urged Wike to continue using his influence at the national level to attract more federal investment to the area.

Reaffirming the community’s commitment to peace, unity, and youth enterprise, Worika outlined its political position ahead of the next general elections.

“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.

The ceremony ended with traditional expressions of goodwill as the people of Ogu-Bolo warmly welcomed the minister with the traditional greeting, “Ibosa”, affirming that he was among his own people.