The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, alongside the party’s Lagos State governorship candidate, Funsho Doherty, and other supporters, on Thursday, November 12, 2026, declined to sing Nigeria’s current national anthem, Nigeria, We Hail Thee, during a town hall meeting in Lagos.
The incident occurred when the event anchor invited attendees to stand for the recital of the national anthem. However, party supporters declined to participate in the singing of the current anthem.
Following the reaction from attendees, the event anchor switched to the country’s former national anthem, Arise, O Compatriots, which was subsequently recited by Obi and other participants.
A video of the incident circulating on social media showed Obi facing the crowd and raising two fingers on both hands, forming a gesture associated with the NDC, as attendees sang the former anthem.
The development comes amid the controversy surrounding the reintroduction of Nigeria’s original national anthem, Nigeria, We Hail Thee, which was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2024, replacing Arise, O Compatriots.
Sources: The Cable | Vanguard | Daily Post
Photo Credit: X/Peter Obi