President Bola Tinubu has awarded the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) to Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, in recognition of his contributions. This decision follows recent debates regarding the Speaker's eligibility for higher honors, reflecting Tinubu's commitment to addressing legislative concerns.
President Bola Tinubu has officially granted the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) to Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, marking one of Nigeria’s highest national honors. The recognition was announced in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who confirmed the decision on Friday night.
The award comes after recent debates within the legislative chambers. Initially, in his Independence Day address on October 1, Tinubu conferred the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) title on Abbas and the Deputy Senate President. However, members of the House of Representatives expressed discontent, arguing that the Speaker deserved a higher honor to reflect his role. This sparked significant discussion in the House, which prompted the President’s reconsideration.
Onanuga clarified that the decision to elevate Abbas to GCON was meant to correct what was described as an "oversight." Tinubu’s move is seen as addressing concerns over the balance of honors between the legislative and executive branches. The change also reflects the President’s acknowledgment of the Speaker's contributions to national governance.
In line with this upgrade, Abbas will join other high-ranking officials, including the Senate President and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, in receiving formal decoration at an upcoming event.
