Reno Omokri, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mexico, has taken a swipe at the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi and his supporters for dumping the current national anthem during a political gathering in Lagos.
Omokri, in a statement released on Friday, described the Constitution, the national anthem and the Super Eagles as symbols that belong to no party and should bring every Nigerian together.
He warned that any person who openly rubbishes those symbols has no business asking Nigerians to hand over leadership to him.
His reaction followed what happened at the NDC town hall in Oregun, Lagos, on Thursday, where Obi, party members and supporters sang ‘Arise, O Compatriots’ instead of ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’, the anthem currently in use.
The current anthem came back through the National Anthem Act 2024, which President Bola Tinubu signed on May 29, 2024.
Omokri pointed to Section 24(a) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which says every citizen must live by the Constitution and show respect for its ideals, institutions, national symbols and lawful authorities.
He also noted that only the President and the National Assembly have the power to decide which anthem the country should use.
According to him, the Constitution, the national anthem and the national football team are three symbols that unite Nigerians without politics.
He questioned what Nigerians should expect from a person who is ready to openly disrespect those symbols without apology.
He asked how such a person expects 235 million Nigerians to trust him with their future if he cannot respect the Constitution, the Super Eagles and the national anthem.
Omokri said the question should worry every voter ahead of the next election.
He asked, “If you are prepared to openly and unapologetically disrespect these symbols, how can Nigerians trust you?”
