Keyamo Accuses NDC of Promoting Secessionism with Old National Anthem

Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of promoting secessionism. He claims the party's alleged use of Nigeria's former national anthem in place of the officially recognized one is a plot to break up the country. Keyamo made these allegations while defending the use of President Bola Tinubu's campaign song, On Your Mandate, at public gatherings.

Keyamo explained that Tinubu's supporters sing the national anthem at public events before introducing On Your Mandate as a song of celebration for the President. He emphasized that the campaign song is not used to replace the national anthem. According to Keyamo, there is a clear difference between playing a political campaign song to welcome a President and singing a former national anthem in place of the country's legally recognized national anthem.

The minister argued that the practice of singing On Your Mandate should not be interpreted as an attempt to undermine Nigeria's national identity. He maintained that the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, should be allowed to adopt any song he considers appropriate for his political activities, including Nigeria's former national anthem. However, Keyamo insisted that the performance of such a song should not come at the expense of the country's current national anthem.

Keyamo defended the Police Band's decision to play the instrumental version of On Your Mandate whenever Tinubu arrives at public functions. He explained that this practice is consistent with established presidential protocol and has been followed by previous administrations. The minister mentioned that former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari were also welcomed with musical performances by the Police Band during official engagements.

The aviation minister further stressed that the national anthem remains an important part of official ceremonies and is not being displaced by the campaign song. He noted that several state governments have adopted their own anthems, which are sometimes performed after the national anthem during official functions. Keyamo described this practice as not unusual in Nigeria.

Keyamo directed his criticism at the NDC over the alleged use of the former national anthem. He described the reported action as more serious than the controversy surrounding Tinubu's campaign song. According to Keyamo, singing an outlawed national anthem in place of the legally approved one raises questions about national unity and suggests support for the idea of having a separate country, an interpretation he linked to secessionism.

Nigeria's national anthem was changed in May 2024 after President Tinubu signed the National Anthem Bill into law. The legislation restored the country's former anthem, Nigeria, We Hail Thee, which was used at independence in 1960 before being replaced in 1978 by Arise, O Compatriots. Keyamo's comments have sparked a new controversy in the country's politics.

Key points

• Keyamo accuses NDC of promoting secessionism with old national anthem.
• The minister defends the use of President Tinubu's campaign song at public gatherings.
• Nigeria's national anthem was changed in May 2024.