The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has faulted the Federal Government’s decision to cancel the 65th Independence Anniversary parade, describing it as yet another sign of disconnect between the Presidency and the Nigerian people.
The Federal Government had on Monday announced the cancellation of the October 1 parade in Abuja, though other commemorative activities are expected to hold as planned.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST on Tuesday, ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, criticised the move, stressing that the Independence Day parade is a symbolic national moment that should not be abandoned.
“This independence celebration is a remarkable milestone. It is an opportunity for Nigeria to project itself to the world and inspire the people, to renew their confidence in the country and their government. But what did the government do yet again?” Abdullahi said.
He alleged that the parade may have been scrapped because President Bola Tinubu was not in Abuja.
“I am sure the reason the Presidency cancelled the parade is because the President is not in Abuja. The last time I checked, he was in Lagos, unless he returned without the public knowing,” he added.
Abdullahi dismissed claims that the parade was cancelled due to economic challenges, arguing that the government was fully aware of the country’s realities when invitations were sent out.
“Whatever they are hiding, they owe it to Nigerians to be transparent. This decision does not reflect who we are as a country. It is simply another case of presidential abstinence,” he insisted.
The ADC spokesman further accused the government of diminishing the country’s image by the President’s repeated absence from key national events, including the passing-out parade of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).
“About 800 officers were commissioned into the Nigerian military last Saturday, yet the President was absent. If he could not attend personally, he could at least have sent the Chief of Army Staff. And why was the President not there? The President was in Lagos to commission the renovated National Arts Theatre,” Abdullahi said.
The cancellation of the Independence Day parade has sparked debates among Nigerians, with critics questioning the government’s priorities and commitment to symbolic national traditions.
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