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An awkward moment played out at the Presidential Villa on Thursday night after Nigeria’s old national anthem was mistakenly played during the All Progressives Congress (APC) national caucus meeting in Abuja.
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The incident happened at the banquet hall of the State House, where top party leaders had gathered for the high-level meeting.
Confusion as Band Plays Old Anthem
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As protocol demanded the rendition of the national anthem, the band unexpectedly began with “Arise, O Compatriots,” Nigeria’s former anthem.
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President Bola AhmedTinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas were already seated when the music started.
They stood briefly, appearing confused as the wrong anthem echoed across the hall.
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Quick Correction by the Band
Realising the mistake, the musicians quickly stopped midway and switched to “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” the anthem recently reinstated by the Tinubu administration.
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The brief mix-up was corrected within seconds, allowing the meeting to proceed without further disruption.
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Why “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” Returned
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On May 29, President Tinubu signed a bill restoring “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” as the country’s national anthem.
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The anthem was originally used between 1960 and 1988 before it was replaced by “Arise, O Compatriots,” which remained in use from 1978 until early 2024.
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First Caucus Meeting Under New APC Chairman
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Thursday’s gathering was historic as it marked the first APC national caucus meeting chaired by the party’s new national chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda.
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Several governors who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC were also present at the meeting.
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Defected Governors in Attendance
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Governors who attended include Peter Mbah (Enugu), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), and Douye Diri (Bayelsa).
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The presence of the defectors highlighted the APC’s growing influence ahead of the 2027 general election.
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Other Top Political Figures Present
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Other dignitaries at the meeting included former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, members of the APC National Working Committee, APC governors, and principal officers of the National Assembly.
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See below;
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APC National CAUCUS MEETING….
You have to respond the leadership acumen of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR @officialABAT. pic.twitter.com/4NDoXLTLZZ
— Amb. Pst Okezie Atañi (@Onsogbu) December 19, 2025
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