Tinubu Says He Slept Well After Cancelling Independence Day Parade, Sparks Public Reactions
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stirred widespread debate after revealing that the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day military parade gave him the rare chance to “sleep well” and enjoy a peaceful morning.
Speaking at the unveiling of the renovated Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos on Wednesday, Tinubu said the decision to call off the annual parade helped break the “monotony” of the usual celebrations. The President noted that the evening spent at the newly refurbished monument, named after Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, was more fulfilling than the traditional march-past ceremonies.
“By cancelling this programme, I was able to have a good sleep, have a nice breakfast and wait for this evening. And the evening is well spent,” Tinubu told guests, including the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, and Soyinka himself.
FG’s Announcement of Cancellation
As Akahi News learnt, the Federal Government, through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, announced earlier in the week that the parade would not hold. Officials stressed that the decision did not diminish the significance of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, but the move nonetheless sparked speculation about its underlying reasons.
Mixed Reactions from Citizens
While Tinubu expressed personal relief, his comments have drawn sharp criticism across political and social spaces. Many Nigerians argued that the President appeared detached from the current mood of the nation, where economic hardship, insecurity, and rising living costs have overshadowed any celebratory spirit.
Some opposition voices accused him of trivialising national pride, while others suggested security concerns and cost-cutting might have influenced the decision. A section of citizens, however, welcomed the cancellation, saying it prevented potential waste of public funds on ceremonial displays at a time when many Nigerians are struggling to survive.
Symbolism of the Wole Soyinka Centre
Tinubu also defended his earlier decision to rename the historic National Arts Theatre in Lagos after Professor Wole Soyinka. He described the Nobel Laureate as “one of the greatest assets of Nigeria, Africa and the world,” insisting that the honour was long overdue.
Broader Implications
Observers told Akahi News that the President’s remarks may have been intended to show transparency and a lighter side of leadership. However, the tone has raised questions about political sensitivity at a time when many Nigerians feel disconnected from government decisions.
As the country reflects on 65 years of independence, the debate underscores the deeper divide between leadership optics and public sentiment, with critics urging the government to focus more on tangible improvements in security, economy, and governance.
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