Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has accused the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) of displaying secessionist tendencies over an alleged decision by some of its members to sing an anthem different from Nigeria’s legally prescribed national anthem, giving the party’s leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, 48 hours to clarify its official position.
Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, made the allegation in a post on his verified X account on Saturday, November 14, 2026, arguing that the deliberate rejection of a country’s national anthem could signal an intention to undermine its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The minister maintained that the national anthem was not merely a ceremonial song but a fundamental symbol of national identity, shared values and unity, warning that any political organisation openly defying it risked being perceived as challenging the country’s constitutional order.
“A National Anthem is one of a country’s national symbols. It represents a country’s history, values and SOVEREIGNTY. It is meant to UNITE citizens,” Keyamo wrote.
He argued that the decision of a group to sing an alternative anthem, rather than the one prescribed by law, could amount to an expression of separatist intent.
“When a group of people decide to defy it and sing something different from what others are singing as prescribed by law, that group is preparing grounds to break away from the country. It is one of the ingredients of SECESSION,” he stated.
Keyamo went further to suggest that the endorsement of such conduct by the leadership of a political organisation would transform the action from an individual or collective protest into an official position of the group.
“And once the leader of such a group endorses the action, it means the group is then OFFICIALLY a secessionist movement,” he declared.
The minister subsequently directed his challenge at Dickson, whom he identified as the official leader of the NDC, demanding a public explanation of whether the party endorsed the use of an anthem different from Nigeria’s legally recognised national anthem.
Keyamo described the former Bayelsa State governor as a longtime friend and former classmate, invoking their personal relationship while insisting that the issue required an unequivocal response.
“I AM THEREFORE OFFICIALLY CALLING ON the original ‘COUNTRYMAN’, my CLASSMATE, my friend and a man of considerable courage from our school days, SENATOR SERIAKE DICKSON, the official leader of the NDC, to within 48 hours SPEAK UP as to whether the NDC officially endorses a proscribed anthem as its own NATIONAL SYMBOL,” he wrote.
“The world is waiting.”
The minister’s intervention raises a fresh controversy over national symbols and political expression as opposition parties prepare for the 2027 general election.
Nigeria’s national anthem has been a subject of political debate since President Bola Tinubu signed legislation in May 2024 restoring Nigeria, We Hail Thee, replacing Arise, O Compatriots, which had been adopted in 1978.
The restoration generated differing reactions among Nigerians, with supporters welcoming the return of the country’s original post-independence anthem and critics questioning the priority given to the change amid pressing economic and social challenges.
Keyamo’s latest comments, however, specifically concern his allegation that a political group had deliberately departed from the legally prescribed anthem and his demand that the NDC clarify whether such conduct represented its official position.
The minister did not identify the individuals involved, specify the occasion on which the alternative anthem was allegedly sung or provide details establishing that Dickson had endorsed the action.
His post also did not establish that the NDC had formally adopted a different national anthem or advocated Nigeria’s territorial separation.
The characterisation of the alleged conduct as secessionist therefore remains Keyamo’s interpretation rather than an established legal finding.
The challenge comes amid political realignments and internal disputes affecting opposition parties ahead of the next presidential election, with questions over party leadership, political alliances and electoral participation attracting increasing attention.
By demanding a response directly from Dickson, Keyamo has sought to place responsibility for clarifying the party’s position on its leadership.
The 48-hour ultimatum was issued on Saturday, meaning the minister is seeking a response within two days of his public statement.
As of the time of the post, no response from Dickson or the NDC was included in the material available.
Whether the party will publicly address Keyamo’s allegation, clarify the circumstances of the alleged anthem incident or challenge his interpretation remains to be seen.
ARISE News
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