Nigeria’s Independence Day is supposed to be a moment when Nigerians, regardless of political party, come together to celebrate the country.
But what happened at PTI Junction in Delta State raises an uncomfortable question: when young Nigerians are invited to an Independence Day fitness event, should they discover only after arriving that the event is also carrying the image of a political leader?
The youths came out to run.
They came expecting an Independence Day activity. What they encountered, according to reports and videos from the scene, was the distribution of “Soft Nigeria” polo shirts carrying President Bola Tinubu’s image. Some participants felt deceived and responded by rejecting and tearing the shirts, while others chanted “Obi! Obi! Obi!”
The bigger issue is not even the shirt.
The bigger issue is trust.
If an event is political, say it is political. If it is a campaign mobilisation, let participants know. If it is a fitness event celebrating Nigeria’s Independence, then participants should be allowed to decide whether they want to associate themselves with any political campaign.
Why invite young Nigerians under the banner of fitness and national celebration, only to introduce political branding when they have already gathered?
And on Independence Day of all days, why should young Nigerians have to ask whether an event celebrating Nigeria is actually another opportunity to campaign?
There is also another question worth asking: where were the party supporters?
If the objective was political mobilisation, why not openly invite supporters of the political movement and organise a clearly identified political event? Why bring unsuspecting members of the public into a political setting under the cover of a fitness programme?
Young Nigerians are not political props.
They are citizens.
They have the right to choose what they wear, what they support, and what political message they associate themselves with.
Independence should mean freedom of choice. It should mean the freedom to disagree. It should mean that a Nigerian can attend a public event without being pressured into displaying the image of a political figure.
The reaction at PTI Junction should therefore prompt a broader conversation among political organisers: perhaps young people do not need politics hidden inside entertainment, sports or social events.
Perhaps they simply need politicians to tell them the truth about what they are being invited to.
Because if an Independence Day celebration becomes an unexpected campaign rally, then Nigerians are justified in asking:
Is this what independence means to our leaders?
