An unexpected and awkward moment unfolded at the State House in Abuja on Thursday night during a high-profile meeting of Nigeria's ruling party. The incident involved a musical mix-up that briefly left the nation's top leaders, including President Bola Tinubu, in a state of confusion.
Protocol Blunder at the Villa
The All Progressives Congress (APC) was holding its national caucus meeting at the Presidential Villa's banquet hall. As is customary, the event was set to begin with the rendition of the national anthem. However, in a significant error, the band struck the opening notes of "Arise, O Compatriots," the country's former national anthem which was officially replaced earlier in the year.
President Bola Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, were already seated. Following protocol, they stood up as the music began, only to be met with the familiar tune of the old anthem. The development caused a palpable, if brief, moment of uncertainty in the hall.
The musicians quickly realized their mistake and switched midway to the correct anthem, "Nigeria, We Hail Thee." This anthem was reinstated by President Tinubu on May 29, 2024, after he signed a bill reversing a 1978 change. "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" had originally been in use from the nation's independence in 1960 until 1978.
Significance of the Meeting
Beyond the anthem gaffe, the caucus meeting was politically significant for several reasons. It marked the first session presided over by the APC's new national chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda. Furthermore, the gathering featured a notable display of the party's expanding influence, with several governors who recently defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in attendance.
New APC governors present included:
- Peter Mbah of Enugu State
- Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State
- Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State
- Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State
- Agbu Kefas of Taraba State
- Douye Diri of Bayelsa State
Other dignitaries at the meeting included former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, members of the APC National Working Committee, governors elected on the party's platform, and principal officers of the National Assembly.
Broader Context and Reactions
The reinstatement of the old anthem by the Tinubu administration has been a topic of public debate since it was announced. While some Nigerians have commended the move as a return to the nation's foundational roots, many critics have questioned its relevance and timing, arguing that the government's focus should be squarely on addressing pressing economic challenges.
The controversy was further fueled recently by a viral but unverified claim from a blog, which alleged that the process of changing the anthem cost the federal government a staggering N814 billion. The report, which cited the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, has been widely shared on social media platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), though its authenticity remains in serious doubt.
During the same caucus meeting, President Tinubu also addressed other national issues. He spoke on the government's commitment to establishing state police, arguing that decentralised policing would significantly enhance national security. The President noted that discussions with international partners, including leaders from the United States and Europe, showed a keen foreign interest in Nigeria's ongoing security reforms.
The brief musical error at the Villa, while a minor protocol incident, serves as a reminder of the recent and contentious change in national symbols, a change that continues to resonate in Nigeria's political and public discourse.
