The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his absence from the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day ceremony.
On Thursday, January 15, Vice President Kashim Shettima led the official activities marking the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day at the cenotaph of the Unknown Soldier in Eagle Square, Abuja. He attended the event on behalf of President Tinubu.
The President was represented because he was in the United Arab Emirates at the time, where he is attending the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026.
In a statement issued to mark the remembrance day, the ADC acknowledged the bravery and sacrifice of fallen and serving members of the Nigerian Armed Forces but strongly questioned the President’s decision not to attend the national ceremony in person.
The party described the President’s absence on such an important and symbolic occasion as disturbing, noting that the presence of the Commander-in-Chief carries both moral and emotional significance for troops and their families.
According to the ADC, remembrance activities should go beyond formal rituals and reflect genuine leadership, responsibility, and commitment to the welfare of soldiers who continue to risk their lives for the country.
In its full statement, the party said:
“Today, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) joins Nigerians, especially our military families, in commemorating the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, a day set aside to honour the courage, sacrifice, and patriotism of the men and women who have laid down their lives in defence of our nation.
“This is ordinarily a solemn national moment, one that demands presence, reflection, and leadership at the highest level. It is therefore deeply troubling that the President of the Federal Republic is absent and unavailable on a day meant to symbolise solidarity with our armed forces and the families who continue to bear the cost of Nigeria’s security failures.
“At a time when Nigerian soldiers are overstretched across multiple fronts, battling insurgency, banditry, and violent crime, leadership cannot be outsourced, postponed, or treated as ceremonial. The physical and moral presence of the Commander-in-Chief on this day is not optional, it is a statement of respect, responsibility, and shared sacrifice.
The ADC honours the fallen, stands with serving personnel, and recognises the quiet resilience of military families who continue to pay the ultimate price for a nation that has yet to match their sacrifice with competent governance, clear strategy, and genuine political will.
“Remembrance must go beyond wreaths and words. It must be reflected in leadership that shows up, takes responsibility, and places the lives of Nigerians above image management, foreign trips, or political convenience.”
The party concluded by urging national leaders to demonstrate commitment not just in speeches, but through visible presence and decisive action that matches the sacrifices made by Nigeria’s armed forces.
