By Our Correspondent
Human rights activist and public affairs commentator, Mahdi Shehu, has warned that the Federal Government’s decision to cancel this year’s Independence Day parade is more than a logistical choice—it is a symbol of national uncertainty and creeping fear at the heart of leadership.
In an exclusive interview with DAILY POST on Tuesday, Shehu described the action as a deliberate survival strategy, suggesting that the cancellation reflects a government gripped by anxiety over Nigeria’s worsening economic and security crises.
> “This may be a self-preservation or concealment strategy,” Shehu remarked. “But one thing is certain—Nigerians cannot perpetually run away from destiny. Whether man or woman, everyone remains unavoidably vulnerable. We cannot postpone our destinies nor avoid the things already shaped for us.”
Drawing inspiration from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Shehu added:
> “There is a divinity that shapes our ends, rough-hew them how we will.”
The activist stressed that the move could set a dangerous precedent, warning that if left unchecked, future Independence anniversaries may face similar cancellations.
> “Whatever silent fears informed the decision to cancel the Nigeria at 65 parade will only manifest more strongly in the years to come,” he said. “At 66 and 67, the stakes will be higher, and the uncertainties far more visible.”
On Monday, the Federal Government stunned the nation by announcing the cancellation of the annual October 1 Independence parade in Abuja, an event traditionally seen as a symbol of unity, resilience, and national pride.
Analysts say the move has further deepened the debate over Nigeria’s fragile democracy, rising insecurity, and economic hardships, raising fears that the government may be losing its grip on public confidence.
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