Joseph Osemudiamen Mawuli Orukpe, the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, candidate for Ikeja Federal Constituency, has dismissed claims that party members refused to sing the new national anthem during a town hall meeting with Peter Obi in Ikeja, Lagos State.
Orukpe described the allegation as false and misleading, insisting that NDC members present at the event observed national protocols and sang the new national anthem.
He stated this in a video shared on the NDC Lagos State X account on Saturday.
The NDC chieftain, who said he was physically present at the meeting, accused members of the ruling party of attempting to mislead Nigerians with what he described as a false narrative about the conduct of party members.
“Let me state categorically: That claim is false, misleading and completely unsupported by the facts,” he said.
According to him, the new national anthem was duly rendered at the gathering, contrary to allegations circulating on social media.
Orukpe also criticized some media platforms for allegedly circulating selected footage of the event without publishing the complete video showing members singing the anthem.
He insisted that the full footage was available and challenged those making the allegations to release it for public scrutiny.
“In this age of digital media, facts are not difficult to establish. The complete footage exists. Let the public examine the evidence and judge for themselves,” he said.
He maintained that the party respected Nigeria’s national symbols, institutions and sovereignty, adding that its commitment to the country should not be questioned over political controversies.
The NDC candidate urged Nigerians to reject what he described as propaganda and misinformation, stressing that political disagreements should not be used to distort events.
“Nigeria deserves better than propaganda. Ikeja deserves better than misinformation. And our democracy deserves a politics anchored on truth,” he added.