National Anthem Controversy: Funso Doherty Reveals What Happened After Peter Obi Sang Old Anthem

The Lagos State governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Funso Doherty, has clarified the controversy surrounding the singing of Nigeria’s former national anthem at the party’s town hall meeting in Lagos, insisting that the current anthem was also performed at the event.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the clarification followed Thursday’s gathering, where the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and some attendees reportedly remained seated when they were invited to stand for the current national anthem.

The event’s anchor subsequently switched to the former national anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots,” which Obi, Doherty and other supporters sang.

The incident attracted criticism from several public figures, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mexico, Reno Omokri.

Speaking during an interview on Nigeria Info 99.3 FM on Friday, Doherty explained that the former anthem was introduced spontaneously by members of the audience, adding that the organisers had little control over the crowd’s reaction, particularly given the emotional atmosphere at the gathering.

He, however, maintained that the current national anthem was eventually sung after the former version, stressing that Nigeria recognises only one official national anthem.

Doherty said, “Well, the point to be made is that if you watched that show, you will see that the new national anthem was actually sung after that initial singing of the old national anthem, and what happened was it was a spontaneous thing by the crowd.

“Obviously, the national anthem is the national anthem. We only have one national anthem, and ultimately that was what we sang”.