Funso Doherty, the Lagos State governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has clarified the events surrounding the singing of Nigeria's national anthem at a recent town hall meeting in Lagos. According to Doherty, the singing of the former national anthem, "Arise, O Compatriots", was a spontaneous reaction by the crowd. The event, which featured the party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and other attendees, had been highly anticipated and emotionally charged.
Doherty explained that the current national anthem, "Nigeria, We Hail Thee", was eventually sung after the crowd had recited the former version. He emphasized that the event organisers could not control the spontaneous reaction of the large gathering, particularly given the emotional atmosphere surrounding the meeting. The incident had sparked controversy, with some reports suggesting that Obi and other attendees had declined to stand when invited to sing the current national anthem.
The NDC town hall meeting in Lagos had featured a notable incident where the event anchor switched to the former anthem, "Arise, O Compatriots", after some attendees declined to sing the current anthem. Obi, Doherty, and other supporters reportedly sang the former anthem. This development occurred against the backdrop of Nigeria's recent switch to its former national anthem, "Nigeria, We Hail Thee", in May 2024, replacing "Arise, O Compatriots", which had been in use since 1978.
Doherty stressed that the national anthem is a unifying symbol and that there is only one national anthem in Nigeria. He noted that despite the initial singing of the old national anthem, the new national anthem was eventually performed, and that was what was officially recognized. The NDC candidate made these remarks during an interview on Nigeria Info 99.3FM on Friday.
The controversy surrounding the national anthem singing at the NDC town hall meeting highlights the ongoing debate about national identity and symbolism in Nigeria. The country's national anthem has been a subject of discussion in recent times, particularly following the switch from "Arise, O Compatriots" to "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" in May 2024.
Doherty's clarification aims to put to rest speculation about the intentions of the NDC and its candidates regarding the national anthem. The incident at the town hall meeting had sparked a heated debate, with some interpreting it as a sign of disrespect for the current national anthem. However, according to Doherty, the event was meant to promote unity and patriotism.
The NDC and its candidates, including Doherty and Obi, have been keen to emphasize their commitment to national unity and the promotion of Nigerian values. The incident at the town hall meeting notwithstanding, the party's focus remains on promoting a united and prosperous Nigeria, with its candidates urging Nigerians to come together to build a better future.
Key points
- The singing of the old national anthem at the NDC town hall meeting was a spontaneous reaction by the crowd.
- The current national anthem, "Nigeria, We Hail Thee", was eventually sung after the crowd had recited the former version.
- The incident highlights the ongoing debate about national identity and symbolism in Nigeria.
