The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has advised President Bola Tinubu to cancel the Independence Day parade planned as part of activities to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th anniversary on October 1.
Ayodele warned that proceeding with the parade could expose the country to danger and called on the president to shelve the event.
The cleric issued the warning in a video shared on X ahead of the Independence Day celebration.
He said, “October 1st, President Tinubu should cancel the parade. If he attempts to go ahead with it, there is danger in it.”
Ayodele did not, however, explain the nature of the alleged danger or state what prompted the warning.
The warning comes as the Federal Government makes preparations for a low-key celebration of the country’s 66th Independence anniversary.
Earlier, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation announced that President Tinubu would deliver a nationwide broadcast to Nigerians on October 1 as part of the anniversary programme.
The government had also established an Inter-Ministerial Committee, headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, to oversee and coordinate activities for the celebration.
According to the government, the 66th Independence anniversary is intended to provide an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the sacrifices made by the nation’s founding fathers and heroines, while also reviewing the country’s progress since gaining independence in 1960.
Akume said the anniversary activities would be conducted on a low-key basis in view of the prevailing circumstances in the country. He also directed members of the committee to expedite preparations ahead of October 1.
The scheduled activities include a World Press Conference, Juma’at Service, Church Service and an Independence Day Public Lecture, culminating in President Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast on October 1.
Members of the committee include several ministers and senior government officials, among them the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga; Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; and Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Ajayi, are also members of the committee.
In another part of his message, Ayodele advised Nigerians not to accept gifts or inducements from politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He encouraged voters to base their electoral decisions on their personal convictions and what they consider to be in the best interest of the country, rather than on material benefits offered by political actors.
“And to Nigerians, don’t collect anything from any politician because of the election. Vote your conscience. Vote for the right people. Vote for people who will truly serve the interest of the people,” he said.
The cleric also called on Nigerians to remain prayerful and vigilant.
Meanwhile, Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has urged presidential aspirants, especially those from the North, to put their ambitions on hold until 2031.
Yusuf made the call on Sunday, arguing that the country should continue with an arrangement under which presidential power alternates between the North and South, with each region allowed to produce a president for two consecutive terms.
He appealed for support for President Tinubu to serve a second term, saying this would allow the South to complete its two-term cycle before the presidency returns to the North in 2031.
“I urge support for President Bola Tinubu to complete his second term because this would allow the South to complete its two-term cycle before power returns to the North.
“We should allow the South to complete its two-term cycle. After that, power will return to the North in 2031,” Yusuf said.
