By Spear News Reporter
Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of promoting separatist sentiments by allegedly singing an outlawed national anthem in place of Nigeria’s legally recognised national anthem.
Keyamo made the allegation in a post on his X account on Saturday, November 14, while responding to criticism surrounding the use of the campaign song, On Your Mandate, at political gatherings attended by President Bola Tinubu.
He argued that singing the campaign song in honour of the President does not amount to replacing the national anthem, insisting that the two songs serve different purposes.
According to Keyamo, supporters of President Tinubu have never sung On Your Mandate in place of the national anthem at official gatherings.
He explained that the national anthem is first rendered as a mark of respect for the country’s national symbols, after which the President may be serenaded with the campaign song.
Keyamo also maintained that there was nothing wrong with Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, adopting a song for his political movement, provided it was not sung in place of the legally recognised national anthem.
“Nobody stops Peter Obi from adopting a song, even the old anthem, as his own song. But it must be sung either before or AFTER the legally recognised National Anthem is given its due RECOGNITION,” he said.
The minister further cited presidential protocol, explaining that the Police Band routinely plays instrumental music to herald the President’s arrival at official events or before he addresses an audience.
He said the band sometimes plays the instrumental version of On Your Mandate after the national anthem has been rendered.
Keyamo also pointed to state anthems, noting that several states in Nigeria have their own anthems, which are traditionally sung after the national anthem.
However, he described the alleged use of an outlawed anthem by the NDC in place of the national anthem as a threat to national unity.
He wrote: “Singing an outlawed anthem IN PLACE of a legally approved NATIONAL ANTHEM by the NDC is surely an expression of a desire to have a separate country, and that is an INGREDIENT OF A SECESSIONIST GROUP.”
The minister’s comments come amid political disagreements over the use of national symbols and campaign songs at political gatherings.
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