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The Federal Government’s sudden cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary parade, originally scheduled for Wednesday, 1 October, has sparked widespread backlash on social media, with many Nigerians criticising Tinubu’s government for failing to provide a clear explanation.
The announcement, conveyed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, was met with swift condemnation. One user, Mega Mixer, described the communication as vague and unacceptable, insisting that Nigerians deserved to know the rationale behind such a decision.
“With a national milestone at stake, the president’s spokesperson can and must do better than an opaque announcement that gives no reason and leaves citizens and stakeholders guessing. Clarity first, not opacity,” he wrote.
He further warned that cancelling the 65th Independence parade without any stated justification risked eroding public trust and fuelling unnecessary speculation. According to him, transparency was needed on whether the decision was linked to security intelligence, budget constraints, severe weather, national mourning, or a public health concern.
“The Freedom of Information Act 2011 promotes proactive disclosure where there is an overriding public interest, and the cancellation of a national ceremony plainly meets that threshold,” he added.
Other Nigerians on X echoed similar concerns. Another user, Iyke, while describing the cancellation as regrettable, urged citizens to focus on broader national challenges.
“Parades hold symbolic value, but what matters most at 65 years of nationhood is Nigeria’s ability to confront economic hardship, insecurity, weak infrastructure, and governance reforms. Citizens must rise above disappointment to hold leaders to higher standards, support genuine reforms, and demand visible progress,” he wrote.
Some, however, raised sharper questions. Ugo Alhassan asked: “What happens to funds initially budgeted for this event?” while Bwg Gwa accused the government of dodging responsibility.
“This government should be responsible for once. Don’t we deserve to know why the cancellation? What is all this? Look at the statements coming from the presidency. Hmmmmm,” he lamented.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government, in an official statement signed by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations, insisted that the cancellation “is in no way a diminishment of the significance of this milestone anniversary.” It added that all other Independence Anniversary programmes would go ahead as planned.
