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News Analysis: Independence Day Cancellation Sparks Political Tensions and Public Reflection”

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3 months ago

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa, Nigerian Tracker Correspondent

As expected, the Federal Government of Nigeria was to facilitate the parade procession at Eagles Square every morning of October 1, celebrating the country’s independence. But it took most Nigerians aback when the President, through his Secretary, George Akume, disclosed that the Independence Day celebration was not going to hold. The announcement was contained in a press statement released by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation:

“The Federal Government wishes to announce the cancellation of the Independence Anniversary parade, previously scheduled to mark the 65th independence on Wednesday, 1st October. The cancellation is in no way a diminishment of the significance of this milestone anniversary,” the statement, as read, was signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen.

The announcement took most Nigerians by surprise because no single reason was mentioned as to why the celebration was cancelled—unlike other cases in which the reason, even though not given, made itself glaring why the celebration couldn’t hold.

Such moments were, first in 1966–1967 during the civil war, which brought chaos into the country. Second was in 1992 when Ibrahim Babangida made such a cancellation announcement in honor of the victims of the Nigerian Air Force Lockheed C-130 Hercules plane crash in Ejigbo, Lagos, in which 159 persons, mainly military officers, lost their lives. Third was in 2010 when the celebration was marred by explosions from two cars parked near Eagles Square, which took the lives of many and injured a few others. Due to the incident, the celebration for the following years did not hold until 2014. Fourth was during the COVID-19 pandemic. The outbreak didn’t allow the celebration to flow as it should have, hence the low-key procession by the late President Buhari at the Villa.

Obviously, the years in which the Independence Anniversary celebration didn’t hold presented themselves with reasons, and those reasons were genuine. So, why did the incumbent President Tinubu cancel the celebration without a reason?

In another development, the Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, was accused by the State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, of boycotting the Independence Anniversary celebration in the state by withdrawing police personnel who should have taken part in the procession at the Sani Abacha Stadium, despite his unambiguous instructions to make provision for security for the event.

Out of displeasure, the Governor then called on the President, Bola Ahmad Tinubu, to immediately redeploy the State Police Commissioner for his “unethical” behavior:

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“The Commissioner of Police has embarrassed us by his conduct,” Yusuf said. “His action is unprofessional, unethical, and contrary to what is expected of a security chief on such a historic day for the people of Kano and indeed for Nigeria as a whole.”

He continued, “On behalf of myself as the Chief Security Officer of the state, and the good people of Kano, I call on President Bola Ahmad Tinubu to remove CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, today.”

Since 1960, when the first ceremony was held at the Race Course, now Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos, the military parade has become a significant aspect of the Independence Day celebration, with heads of government at various tiers taking the salute as the armed forces, paramilitary outfits, and school children march past. Independence Day was given more relevance by the actions of past leaders, such as when Olusegun Obasanjo, during his military regime, decided to hand over power to civil administration on the 1st of October 1979.

Similarly, the then Head of State, General Sani Abacha, added to the relevance of the day when he announced the creation of six new states—Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Gombe, Nasarawa, and Zamfara—on October 1, 1996, a pronouncement that brought the number of states in Nigeria to the current 36. These six states have since then celebrated the day as the anniversary of their creation.

Did States Follow Suit in the Cancellation?

The South-East region presented a unique case. Following the federal directive, all five states (Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo) officially canceled government-sponsored celebrations. This was largely due to the prevailing socio-political climate in the region, where October 1st is often viewed with ambivalence. The federal cancellation provided a convenient reason to forego an event that typically has low public enthusiasm there.

Cross River State organized a tree-planting exercise to mark the day, framing it as an “investment in Nigeria’s future.” Delta State held a “solemn symposium” on national unity with civil society groups instead of a parade.

In Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara presided over a brief flag-raising ceremony at the Government House, attended only by top government functionaries, with no public fanfare. A statement emphasized “the symbolic importance of the day without extravagant spending.”

Bayelsa State government cited the need to redirect resources to flood preparedness and mitigation efforts. Edo State announced a low-key workday and suspended official festivities. Ekiti and Ondo States canceled celebrations and encouraged citizens to engage in community service.

In a nutshell, the federal directive resulted in a largely compliant but politically fractured response. The overwhelming compliance from APC states was anticipated. However, the bold defiance from Kano State—a major political and commercial hub—and the subsequent constitutional crisis over control of the police has become the defining story of the 2025 Independence Day. It demonstrates the potent role of sub-national politics in challenging federal authority and sets a tense precedent for future interactions between the NNPP-led Kano State and the APC-led Federal Government.

The Potent Questions Remain:

1. Was the defiance by the Kano State Governor merely about preserving the relevance of the Independence Day anniversary, or is it a reflection of differences in their political ideologies that might serve as a proxy for larger political battles?
2. Was the President wrong for canceling the celebration without a reason?

On the non participation of Kano police command during the independence parade the force Headquarters is yet to issue a statememt.

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Armed Forces Remembrance Day: HoR minority caucus honour Nigeria’s fallen heroes, say “your sacrifices not forgotten”

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3 hours ago

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January 15, 2026

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The House of Representatives Minority Caucus commemorate with Nigerians on 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, says their sacrifices cannot be forgotten.

This was contained in a commemorative message signed on behalf of the caucus leadership by the Minority Leader, Rep Kingsley Ogundu Chinda stating that:

“Today, the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives joins the rest of the nation in solemn reflection as we honour the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering patriotism of the gallant men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces (past and present) who laid down their lives in defence of our country.

“On this Armed Forces Remembrance Day, we remember with deep gratitude those who paid the ultimate price to preserve Nigeria’s sovereignty, unity, and democratic ideals.

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“Their selfless service, often rendered in the face of grave danger and personal loss, remains a powerful reminder that our freedoms were hard-won and must never be taken for granted.

“We also salute our wounded heroes and veterans whose sacrifices did not end on the battlefield, as well as the families of fallen soldiers who continue to bear the pain of loss with quiet strength and dignity.

” Your resilience embodies the true spirit of national service, and the nation owes you an enduring debt of gratitude.

“As a Caucus, we reaffirm our commitment to the welfare of members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families.

“This includes sustained advocacy for improved welfare packages, adequate equipment, mental health support, timely pensions, and the fulfilment of all statutory obligations owed to those who have served our nation with honour.

“At a time when our country continues to confront security challenges, we urge renewed national unity, responsible leadership, and collective resolve to support our Armed Forces, not only in words, but through concrete policies and actions that strengthen morale, accountability, and professionalism within the security sector.

“May the souls of our fallen heroes rest in perfect peace. May their sacrifices continue to inspire us to work tirelessly for a safer, more just, and more united Nigeria.

“We remember. We honour. We will never forget.

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Avoid Rumors, Respect Privacy, Promote Inclusivity, Professor Tells Online Journalists

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12 hours ago

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January 15, 2026

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By Abbas Yushau Yusuf

A Professor of Mass Communication at Bayero University Kano, Nura Ibrahim, has urged online journalists to ensure responsible online engagement and respect privacy in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Prof. Nura stated this while presenting a paper at the two-day retreat organized for the Kano Online Media Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, held in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State.

The retreat, sponsored by the Kano State Government through the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs, engaged online journalists on a wide range of topics to improve their capacity under the theme “Strengthening Digital Journalism Through Ethical Practice and Responsible Online Engagement.”

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Prof. Nura Ibrahim, of the Department of Information and Media Studies, Faculty of Communication, Bayero University, said online journalists should ensure balance in their reportage and avoid inflammatory language.

He also charged them to promote inclusivity, ensure cultural and religious sensitivity, avoid incitement, verify facts before publication, correct errors, and update content appropriately.

The university professor further urged them to combat misinformation, explain facts as they are, provide credible sources, avoid spreading rumors, and adopt language optimization tools alongside responsible SEO practices.

 

 

 

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Kano State Champions Ethical Digital Journalism: Retreat Empowers Online Media for Democratic Growth

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16 hours ago

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January 15, 2026

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The Kano State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting ethical, responsible and professional digital journalism, describing the media as a critical pillar of democratic governance.

The Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, stated this on Wednesday while declaring open a two-day retreat for members of the Kano Online Media Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Dutse, Jigawa State.

The retreat, organised by the Kano Online Media Chapel with the support of the Kano State Government, is themed “Strengthening Digital Journalism Through Ethical Practice and Responsive Online Engagement.”

Waiya said the training, the first of its kind for online newspaper publishers in Kano State, underscored the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s recognition of journalism as a vital component of democratic practice.

He commended Governor Yusuf for approving and sponsoring the retreat, noting that the gesture reflected the government’s commitment to manpower development across sectors, including the media.

The commissioner urged online media practitioners to uphold ethical standards, professionalism, accuracy and integrity in news gathering and dissemination, stressing that online journalism must be clearly distinguished from unregulated social media activity.

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“Online journalists are not the same as social media users. Digital journalism must be guided by legal and ethical decorum, not sensationalism or the rush for quick breaking news,” Waiya said.

He noted that the rapid growth of digital platforms, coupled with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, has made continuous self-development and professionalism imperative for journalists seeking credibility at local, national and global levels.

Waiya also acknowledged the role of the Kano State Council of the NUJ in supporting the establishment and growth of the Online Media Chapel, attributing the successes recorded so far to cooperation and unity within the union.

He further disclosed that the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs is advocating for the establishment of a state Freedom of Information law in line with the federal Freedom of Information Act, as part of efforts to strengthen transparency and press freedom in the state.

In his remarks, the Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs, Kano State, Malam Usman Bello, said the government approved the retreat outside Kano State in recognition of the growing importance of online journalism.

He explained that similar engagements had previously been organised for the Correspondents’ Chapel, adding that the retreat was aimed at equipping online journalists with the skills required to adapt to new trends in the profession and practice in line with modern global best practices.

Bello noted that the impact of online media transcends state boundaries, stressing that capacity-building programmes of this nature would help shape journalism practice not only in Kano State but across the country.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Kano Online Media Chapel thanked the Kano State Government and the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs for their support, describing the retreat as timely and impactful.

He urged members of the chapel to continue operating within the laid-down ethical guidelines of the journalism profession and in line with the social and legal provisions of Kano State.

The retreat drew participants from various online media organisations operating across Kano State.

The retreat was attended by editors and publishers of various online newspapers operating in Kano State.

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