(UPDATED) Obasanjo, Gowon, IBB, Shonekan absent at Independence Day event in Abuja as Buhari, Jonathan, Abdulsalami attend

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was absent on Friday at the 61st Independence Anniversary ceremony at the Eagle Square in Abuja.

Also absent were General Yakubu Gowon, General Ibrahim Babanguda and Chief Ernrst Shonekan.

The ceremony was presided over by the President Muhammadu Buhari.

It held between 10am and 12pm on Friday, October 1, 2021.

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Buhari was joined by former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.); former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience; and former Vice-President Namadi Sambo.

Others in attendance included Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko; cabinet ministers and other personalities.

Also at the parade ground were service chiefs: Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo; Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Farouk Yahaya; Chief Of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor and Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba.

Reasons Obasanjo  and Gowon were absent from the Independence Day ritual, known to be attended by former Presidents and Heads of Government alive, were not immediately known. Both still move about unlike Babangida and Shonekan whose moments have been restricted due to age-related ailments.