Nigerian Senate Holds Closed-Door Session to ‘Hurriedly’ Change National Anthem

The Nigerian Senate on Thursday held a closed session reportedly to pass a bill that would change the national anthem. 

Reports say the bill aims to replace the current national anthem with Nigeria’s first anthem from October 1, 1960, which had the chorus, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.” The former anthem was replaced in 1978 by the Olusegun Obasanjo military regime.

According to SaharaReporters, Senate President Godswill Akpabio ruled that the legislators should return to plenary on Thursday to pass the bill through its first and second readings.

“The Senate President just ruled that we should go back to the plenary to pass the bill – 1st and 2nd reading today, thereafter, any Nigerian who is interested can come to the Senate building for a public hearing,” the publication cited a source in the Senate.

Controversial Session and Arguments

The executive session generated heated debates. Senators Danjuma Goje and Adams Oshiomhole reportedly argued for a public hearing before any amendment. However, the Senate leadership pushed to expedite the bill, aiming to quickly reinstate the old national anthem.

Senator Yahaya Abubakar of Kebbi, a former Senate Majority Leader, was said to have advised the house to move with caution. He suggested nationwide consultations due to the economic hardships Nigerians face. Abubakar feared that changing the national anthem might seem like an attempt to divert attention from pressing economic issues.

Opposition and Support

Despite opposition, Senator Victor Umeh of the Labour Party backed the senate leadership’s move. He cited Rwanda as an example and praised the former national anthem. 

Umeh opposed a public hearing, arguing it would open Pandora’s box and potentially lead to chaos. He has been accused of sycophancy towards Senate President Akpabio, with critics suggesting he’s eager to please the leadership rather than represent public interests.

SaharaReporters source further said, “Two weeks ago during our closed-door/executive session, Senator Umeh even kicked against lifting the suspension of Senator Ningi Abdul despite the fact that the leader of his Labour Party, Peter Obi had supported Senator Ningi. 

“This is a clear departure from what his party stands for. Senator Umeh needs to be exposed for Nigerians to know his true colour and character.”

Misplaced Priority or No?

The decision to fast-track the bill and potentially revert to the former national anthem has generated mixed reactions, with many Nigerians wondering what’s so urgent about the national anthem as if that would ameliorate the current living conditions of the people occasioned by food inflation, forex crises and a cocktail of other manmade factors.