Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has given the National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Senator Seriake Dickson, 48 Hours to clarify whether the Party endorses Nigeria’s Former National Anthem.
Keyamo made the demand in a post on his X Handle today, describing the National Anthem as a Symbol of the Country’s History, Values and Sovereignty.
He argued that singing an Anthem different from the one prescribed by Law could lay the foundation for Secession, warning that endorsement by a Group’s Leader would make it a Secessionist Movement.
The Minister’s comments followed an incident at an NDC Town Hall Meeting in the Oregun Area of Lagos State last Thursday, where some Attendees sang the Former National Anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots”, instead of the Current Anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”.
However, the Party’s Lagos State Governorship Candidate, Funso Doherty, later described the singing as a Spontaneous Reaction by Attendees in an Emotional Atmosphere.
The Controversy followed the Federal Government’s decision in May 2024 to reinstate “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” as the National Anthem, replacing “Arise, O Compatriots”, which had been in use since 1978.
The decision generated Mixed Reactions, with some Nigerians supporting the move as a return to the Country’s Historical Identity, while Critics questioned its relevance amid Economic Hardship and Security Challenges.
However, Keyamo acknowledged during the Interview that he was unaware of any specific Penalty prescribed by Law for singing the Former National Anthem.
