Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, was marked with mixed emotions, as opposition leader Atiku Abubakar launched a blistering attack on President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, while governors and political leaders called for peace, resilience, and collective resolve.
Atiku attacks APC-led government
Former Vice President Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) government of worsening hunger, insecurity, and hopelessness.
In a message posted on X, Atiku lamented that despite Nigeria’s vast human and natural resources, millions of citizens had been reduced to “refugees and beggars in their fatherland.”
“Hunger is killing Nigerians, bandits are massacring communities, yet President Tinubu and his cabinet stand by, unmoved and uncaring,” he declared.
“Every responsible government holds the welfare and security of its citizens as supreme. But what we have today is an administration that has abandoned its people. Oppressed and battered as our people may feel today, they will have the chance to sweep away this inept government at the next polls.”
He described Nigeria at 65 as “a giant moving painfully slow on the feet of clay, a direct result of decades of poor leadership and wasteful governance.”
Adebayo calls for urgent reforms
Also weighing in, Prince Adewole Adebayo, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), stressed that Nigeria could not prosper while millions of its citizens remained trapped in poverty and insecurity.
“No nation can prosper while its people live in fear. Peace is not optional; it is the precondition for progress, the anchor of prosperity, and the oxygen of national renewal,” Adebayo said in a statement.
He pointed to figures showing that 133 million Nigerians are classified as multidimensionally poor, 31 million face acute food insecurity, and over 2.3 million have been displaced by violence.
“These are not abstract figures; they are broken lives, and they demand a national response as urgent as war,” he noted, urging a coherent national security strategy anchored on technology, intelligence, and coordination.
Despite the grim outlook, Adebayo maintained that hope was still possible: “The urgent task before us now is to build a Nigeria where no citizen is left behind, and where no community is consigned to despair.”
Governors stress unity and faith
In contrast, state governors emphasised unity and optimism. Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, said Nigerians must draw strength from the ideals of independence while remaining committed to progress despite current difficulties.
“At 65, our independence is a reminder of what we can achieve as a people when we are united. It is also a reminder that progress demands sacrifice, and that tomorrow is shaped by the choices we make today,” Mbah said, noting gains in security and infrastructure in his state.
Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, congratulated Nigerians and called for prayers to restore peace and stability.
“We have no other country like Nigeria; therefore, it is our duty to do everything possible to protect and project its image,” he said. “Seeking divine intervention is critical to the restoration of peace, hence the need for us all to repent and return to our Creator for His intervention.”
He also appealed to residents to support security agencies with intelligence, describing peace as the foundation for national development.
Low-key anniversary amid grief
The Federal Government marked Independence Day on a subdued note, cancelling the traditional parade but declaring a public holiday.
The occasion was overshadowed by the tragic death of Arise News anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu during a robbery in Abuja. Her colleagues alleged that she was denied treatment at a hospital, sparking renewed outrage over insecurity and gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Despite the sombre mood, leaders across the political spectrum appealed for resilience. While Atiku and Adebayo painted a bleak picture of Nigeria’s present, Mbah and Idris sought to inspire hope in its future, urging citizens to stay united as the nation navigates its 65th year of independence.
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