Festus Keyamo: NDC's Old Anthem Use Signals Secessionism

• Festus Keyamo accused the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) of secessionist tendencies for singing the former national anthem.
• Peter Obi and his supporters recited 'Arise, O Compatriots' at a Lagos town hall meeting instead of the current anthem.
• The National Anthem Act 2024 restored 'Nigeria, We Hail Thee' as the official national anthem on May 29, 2024.
• Keyamo argued that singing an outlawed anthem in place of the legal one indicates a desire for a separate country.
• He contrasted this with the use of 'On Your Mandate' by Tinubu's supporters, which he stated is always sung after the official anthem.

Singing an outlawed anthem in place of a legally approved national anthem by the NDC signifies a desire for a separate country, which he characterized as an 'ingredient of a secessionist group.'

Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, recently leveled a significant accusation against the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), alleging that the party exhibited secessionist tendencies. This claim arose after supporters of the NDC's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, along with Obi himself, were observed singing the nation's former national anthem during a public gathering.

This incident took place on a Thursday at a town hall meeting held by the party in the Oregun area of Lagos. During the event, attendees recited 'Arise, O Compatriots,' which previously served as Nigeria's national anthem, instead of the currently recognized anthem. Keyamo articulated his concerns on his X handle on a Saturday, drawing a sharp distinction between this action and the use of the campaign song 'On Your Mandate' by President Bola Tinubu's supporters, which he defended as never replacing the official national anthem.

The legal framework governing Nigeria's national anthem was recently updated with the National Anthem Act 2024. This legislation, signed into law by President Tinubu on May 29, 2024, officially reinstated 'Nigeria, We Hail Thee' as the country's national anthem. This anthem originally served Nigeria from its independence in 1960 until 1978, when it was replaced by 'Arise, O Compatriots.'

Therefore, the recitation of 'Arise, O Compatriots' by the NDC and Peter Obi's supporters occurred after the legal re-establishment of 'Nigeria, We Hail Thee' as the sole official anthem. This context is crucial to understanding the minister's strong reaction and the subsequent Peter Obi old anthem controversy, as it pertains to adherence to national symbols and legal statutes.

Minister Keyamo explicitly stated that the act of singing an outlawed anthem in place of the legally approved national anthem by the NDC signifies a desire for a separate country, which he characterized as an 'ingredient of a secessionist group.' He clarified that while individuals are free to adopt songs, including the old anthem, such renditions must occur either before or after the officially recognized national anthem has been duly acknowledged.

Keyamo further elaborated on the protocol surrounding national symbols, citing the traditional role of the Police Band. He noted that the band often plays an instrumental piece upon the President's arrival or before a speech, sometimes using the instrumental version of 'On Your Mandate,' but always after the national anthem has been played. He referenced past presidents like Obasanjo, Yar'Adua, Jonathan, and Buhari to illustrate this established practice, reinforcing his argument that the NDC's actions deviated from accepted national decorum and suggested secessionist tendencies Nigeria.

The controversy underscores the profound significance of national symbols, particularly the national anthem, in representing a nation's unity and sovereignty. Actions perceived as undermining or replacing these symbols can carry substantial political and legal ramifications, especially in a diverse and politically sensitive environment like Nigeria. The minister's strong words highlight how deviations from established protocols regarding national symbols can be interpreted as challenging state authority or even promoting disunity.

This incident serves as a reminder that public expressions, even those seemingly symbolic, are subject to scrutiny and interpretation within the broader national discourse. The use of an alternative anthem, particularly when the official one has been recently reaffirmed by law, can be seen as a deliberate statement with potential implications for national cohesion and adherence to legal frameworks.

Lawyers should advise clients on the potential legal and political risks associated with symbolic acts, such as using alternative national anthems, which could be interpreted as undermining national unity or promoting secessionism under Nigerian law, particularly in a politically charged environment. This highlights the need to assess the broader implications of public expressions that may be perceived as challenging state authority or symbols.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspapers