The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has on Thursday joined Nigerians in commemorating the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, honouring the courage and sacrifice of fallen and serving members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, while sharply criticising President Bola Tinubu’s absence from the national observance.
In a statement by its Spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described the President’s unavailability on such a solemn day as troubling, arguing that the physical and moral presence of the Commander-in-Chief is a vital symbol of solidarity with troops and military families at a time of worsening insecurity. The ADC stressed that remembrance must go beyond ceremonies and rhetoric, calling for leadership that takes responsibility, shows up, and matches the sacrifices of Nigeria’s armed forces with clear strategy and genuine political will.
“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,” Bolaji said.
“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 statement concluded.
