The Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, has announced the cancellation of the Independence Day parade originally scheduled for Wednesday, October 1, as part of the activities to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.

Naijaonpoint reports that the Permanent Secretary of the Special Services Bureau, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Friday Dede, in a statement, said the decision was in line with the pronouncement of the Federal Government.

Dede expressed the government’s regret over any inconvenience the cancellation might cause the public.

The statement reads, “This is to inform the Public that, in line with the pronouncement of the Federal Government, the Parade scheduled to hold at the Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt on Wednesday 1st October in commemoration of the 65th Independence Day in the state has been cancelled.

“We regret any inconvenience caused by this cancellation.”

Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has faulted the Federal Government’s decision to cancel the 65th Independence Anniversary parade, describing it as another example of the disconnect between the presidency and ordinary Nigerians.

Naijaonpoint reported earlier that the Federal Government, on Monday, announced the cancellation of the parade, earlier scheduled for October 1 in Abuja, while noting that other anniversary activities would still go ahead.

Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the cancellation robbed the country of an important symbolic moment that should not be taken for granted.

Abdullahi expressed shock at the timing of the decision, questioning the explanation that the move was tied to the economic situation.