Rufai Oseni apologises to NDC over National Anthem controversy

Arise News anchor, Rufai Oseni, has apologised to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) after watching the full video of the party’s Lagos town hall meeting, which confirmed that the new national anthem was rendered at the event.

Oseni had earlier criticised the party following allegations that its members refused to sing the new national anthem during the gathering.

However, in a fresh statement posted on his verified X handle on Sunday, the broadcaster withdrew his earlier comments, admitting that they were based on incomplete information.

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He said the full video showed that the anthem was indeed sung at the meeting, making his previous criticism invalid.

“All my commentary is invalid now that I have seen the video that the new national anthem was rendered at the NDC Lagos town hall. Sorry NDC,” Oseni wrote.

The Arise News presenter also urged other individuals who had criticised the party over the controversy to apologise, arguing that it was only fair to correct their positions after the emergence of the complete footage.

The controversy had generated widespread reactions on social media, with critics accusing the NDC and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, of disrespecting Nigeria’s national symbols.

The allegations followed the circulation of video clips from the Lagos town hall meeting, which appeared to show attendees failing to sing the national anthem.

The NDC, however, rejected the allegations, insisting that the new national anthem was rendered during the programme.

The party also accused its critics of circulating edited video clips that allegedly misrepresented what transpired at the event.

Oseni’s apology followed the emergence of the full recording, which provided further context to the incident and supported the party’s position that the anthem was sung.