Nigeria, Sept. 30 -- Recall that the federal government had on Monday announced the suspension of the parade scheduled for October 1 in Abuja, while insisting that other anniversary events would proceed.

But speaking in an interview on Tuesday, ADC spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, condemned the move, saying the parade is a powerful national symbol that should never be discarded.

"This independence celebration is a remarkable milestone an opportunity for Nigeria to project itself to the world and inspire confidence in our people. But what did the government do yet again? They cancelled the parade," Abdullahi said.

He alleged that the real reason was President Bola Tinubu's absence from Abuja, adding that excuses about economic constraints w...