Lagos APC Knocks Peter Obi Over Return to Old National Anthem, Questions Leadership Judgment

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The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised Peter Obi and his supporters in the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) for singing Nigeria's former national anthem at a recent town hall meeting, describing the action as political theatrics and a reflection of questionable leadership judgment.

The party said the development raised concerns about Obi's understanding of national symbols, democratic conventions and the responsibilities associated with seeking the country's highest political office.

In a statement on Saturday, Lagos APC spokesman, Mogaji (Hon.) Seye Oladejo, argued that national symbols should not be deployed selectively for political convenience, noting that Nigeria had adopted a new national anthem through a lawful process.

He said while Nigerians were entitled to their historical sentiments, resurrecting the old anthem as a political statement raised questions about the priorities of the opposition movement.

"Patriotism cannot be a selective performance, activated when politically convenient and suspended when reality becomes inconvenient," Oladejo said.

He further questioned Obi's leadership judgment, arguing that a presidential candidate should demonstrate the independence and maturity required to manage the expectations of supporters rather than be influenced by the emotions of a political crowd.

"For a man seeking the enormous responsibility of leading a nation of over 200 million people, such apparent susceptibility to the emotional impulses of his crowd is a major and worrisome leadership concern," he stated.

According to him, the presidency requires independent judgment, intellectual discipline and the courage to provide direction even when such decisions may not align with the immediate expectations of supporters.

Oladejo also questioned what he described as inconsistencies in Obi's political alignments, public pronouncements and policy agenda, insisting that Nigerians deserved clearly articulated and implementable solutions to the country's challenges.

He maintained that national leadership should be defined by policy direction and institutional respect rather than symbolism and emotional mobilisation.

"The Nigerian presidency is neither an emotional experiment nor a retirement consolation. It is not an opportunity to indulge the sentiments of an enthusiastic political crowd. It is an office demanding sound judgment, institutional respect, policy consistency and an unwavering appreciation of the responsibilities of nationhood," he said.

The APC spokesman argued that singing the former national anthem would not address the country's economic and security challenges.

"The old national anthem may evoke nostalgia for some Nigerians, but nostalgia is not a development agenda. It does not create jobs, build infrastructure, strengthen institutions, improve national security or put food on the tables of struggling families," he added.

He also challenged the NDC to focus on presenting credible alternatives and practical solutions rather than using symbolic gestures to define its political identity.

"Political parties are not cultural nostalgia clubs. They are platforms expected to offer ideas, direction and credible alternatives for national advancement," Oladejo said.

Reaffirming the Lagos APC's commitment to national development, he said Nigeria needed leaders who could draw lessons from history without allowing the past to overshadow the country's future.

He added that Nigerians should assess political aspirants based on their ideas, judgment, consistency and capacity to address national challenges.

"Peter Obi and his NDC supporters are free to express their nostalgia for the old national anthem. But they should not mistake the volume of their singing for the depth of their patriotism or the strength of their political argument," he said.

Oladejo concluded that the country's future was too important to be subjected to what he described as political theatrics and an uncertain leadership philosophy.

"Hopefully, Nigeria will recognise the issues at stake and dodge this bullet. The future of over 200 million Nigerians is far too important to be left to sentiment, political theatrics and an uncertain leadership philosophy," he stated.

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