NDC’s use of old anthem suggests secessionism — Keyamo

Festus Keyamo, Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has criticized the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for potentially expressing secessionist sentiments by singing the party's campaign song, "On Your Mandate," instead of the official national anthem. Keyamo defended the use of the song by supporters of President Bola Tinubu, stating that it is never sung in place of the national anthem, but rather as a mark of recognition for the President.

He explained that the Police Band traditionally plays "On Your Mandate" instrumental to herald the President's speech, but only after the national anthem has been played. Keyamo also noted that some states have their own anthems, which are usually sung after the national anthem, but the NDC's decision to sing the former national anthem, "Arise, O Compatriots," in place of the current anthem is seen as an attempt to establish a separate country, a characteristic of a secessionist group.