Omokri Critiques Obi for Reciting Old National Anthem

Reno Omokri, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mexico, criticized Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, and his supporters for rejecting the current national anthem during a town hall meeting in Lagos. At the meeting, attendees recited the former national anthem, ‘Arise, O Compatriots’, instead of the current one, ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’.

This incident occurred after the National Anthem Act 2024, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2024, restored the current anthem. Omokri stated that the Constitution, national anthem, and national football team are apolitical symbols that unite Nigerians and warned that disrespecting these symbols undermines leadership aspirations.

He referenced Section 24(a) of the 1999 Constitution, emphasizing the duty of citizens to respect national symbols and authorities. Omokri questioned how Nigerians could trust leaders who disregard constitutional provisions and national symbols.