Abuja, Nigeria – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticised the federal government’s decision to cancel the traditional Independence Day parade, describing the move as a sign of deepening disconnection between the presidency and the Nigerian people.
The controversy erupted after the federal government announced on Monday that the 65th Independence Day celebrations, slated for October 1 in Abuja, would not include the annual military and cultural parade. Authorities said other anniversary activities would continue as scheduled, but the announcement drew swift reactions from opposition parties and civil society groups.
ADC Faults Sudden Cancellation
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi described the parade as a “symbolic national moment” that should never have been abandoned. He argued that the cancellation sent the wrong message both to citizens and to the international community watching Nigeria at such an important milestone.
“This independence celebration is a remarkable milestone,” Abdullahi said. “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? It cancelled the parade without explanation that resonates with the people.”
The ADC spokesman suggested that the real reason might be linked to President Bola Tinubu’s absence from the capital. “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.
A Blow to National Morale?
Independence parades have long been regarded as a key feature of Nigeria’s October 1 celebrations. They showcase military strength, national unity, and cultural pride while providing citizens with a rare collective moment to reflect on the country’s journey since 1960.
Abdullahi warned that abandoning the event risked undermining national morale. “Everybody was looking forward to it. So why the sudden cancellation? What happened? They might claim the decision was made in line with a modest approach due to the economic situation. But at what point did they suddenly realise there is an economic challenge in the country? When they were sending out invitations, didn’t they know about the economic reality then?” he asked.
He further argued that the federal government owed citizens transparency. “Whatever they are hiding, they owe it to Nigerians to be transparent. And we would soon know. This decision does not reflect who we are as a country. It is simply another case of presidential abstinence.”
Broader Pattern of Absences
The ADC spokesman also linked the cancellation to what he described as a broader pattern of presidential disengagement from key national occasions. He pointed out that President Tinubu had missed the passing-out parade of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) for the past two years, an event traditionally attended by heads of state as a demonstration of commitment to the armed forces.
“About 800 officers were commissioned into the Nigerian military last Saturday, yet the president was absent,” Abdullahi noted. “If he could not attend personally, he could at least have sent the Chief of Army Staff. Instead, the president was in Lagos to commission the renovated National Arts Theatre. What does that say about priorities?”
Government’s Likely Defence
While the presidency has yet to issue a detailed statement on the cancellation, officials have previously argued that economic realities necessitate modest independence commemorations. With Nigeria battling rising inflation, dwindling oil revenues, and mounting debt obligations, some government voices have defended scaling back high-cost public ceremonies.
Proponents of the decision also point to national security concerns. Large gatherings, such as parades, often require heavy security deployment at a time when the country continues to face threats from insurgency, banditry, and separatist agitations.
Yet critics like the ADC insist these justifications do not hold. “Security challenges are precisely why the nation needs strong symbols of unity and resilience,” Abdullahi said. “And if the government can find the resources to host state banquets or commission projects, then surely it can uphold an event as symbolic as the Independence Day parade.”
Broader Political Undercurrents
The clash over the independence parade highlights deeper political tensions in Nigeria. For opposition parties such as the ADC, symbolic national moments become opportunities to question the government’s legitimacy and responsiveness to public sentiment.
Analysts note that President Tinubu has sought to project himself as a reformer tackling Nigeria’s structural economic challenges. But controversies like the cancellation risk feeding perceptions that his government is aloof from the people’s emotions and traditions.
Political scientist Dr. Ifeoma Udeh of the University of Lagos said the ADC’s criticism reflects a growing debate over the role of symbolism in governance. “In a country as diverse and fragile as Nigeria, national ceremonies are not just pageantry. They are tools of cohesion,” she explained. “When they are cancelled, citizens perceive a loss of connection, regardless of the economic or security rationale offered.”
Public Reactions
On the streets of Abuja, citizens expressed mixed feelings. Some sympathised with the government’s cost-cutting rationale, while others echoed the ADC’s concerns.
“I understand the economy is tough, but October 1 comes once a year. We need something to remind us that Nigeria is still worth celebrating,” said Abubakar Sadiq, a civil servant.
Conversely, businesswoman Grace Ibe argued that the decision was pragmatic. “A parade is beautiful, yes, but right now the government should focus on stabilising the naira and bringing down food prices. Nigerians need relief more than fanfare.”
The Road Ahead
Whether the controversy fades or escalates will depend largely on how the government manages communication around the decision. Transparency and timely explanations may soften criticism, while continued silence could fuel more speculation about presidential disengagement.
For the ADC, however, the cancellation has already provided ammunition to portray the Tinubu administration as increasingly disconnected from the people. Abdullahi summed it up starkly: “This independence time was supposed to inspire hope, but instead it has deepened cynicism. The government is diminishing the spirit of the nation by refusing to stand with the people on symbolic occasions.”
As Nigeria marks 65 years of independence, the absence of its most visible celebration has opened up fresh questions about the balance between economic prudence, political symbolism, and the need for leaders to connect meaningfully with their citizens.
