Tinubu Makes U-turn, Confers GCON On Abbas

President Bola Tinubu has conferred the nation’s second highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON)on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

This was contained in a statement by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga

In his 64th Independence anniversary speech on October 1, President Tinubu conferred the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on the speaker and the deputy Senate president.

This development led to a debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, calling on the President to confer a higher honour on the speaker.

But yesterday, Onanuga said, “President Tinubu was persuaded by the House of Representatives’ position and has decided to remedy the historical error and oversight.

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“Thus, he has decided to upgrade the speaker to GCON from CFR, in accordance with the National Order of Precedence. “The speaker, the senate president, other principal officers of the National Assembly and the Chief Justice of Nigeria will be formally decorated with their new honours later.

Earlier, the special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado, had provided clarification regarding the national honours awarded to the presiding officers of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, stating that it was in accordance with precedents and procedures.

In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, Senator Lado emphasised that the honours were awarded according to established precedents and procedures, and not by any other measure.

He stated: “I would like to clarify that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in accordance with his authority under the National Honours Act, conferred the distinguished title of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) upon Speaker Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas PhD based on established practices. This action was not intended to undermine the Speaker or the House of Representatives.”

Senator Lado commended the House of Representatives for its clarification on the national honour bestowed upon the Speaker during the Independence Day celebrations. He reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to fostering a cooperative relationship with the National Assembly, emphasising that collaboration between both branches of government is vital for Nigeria’s developmental goals.

“It is important to note that the House did not reject the honour given to the Speaker but rather sought clarification on the National Order of Precedence. The motion presented was framed as an institutional matter, not a personal grievance by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas,” he explained.

The House of Representatives has made it clear that it appreciates the honour conferred upon the Speaker by the President and has not rejected the title of Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR.

“This office acknowledges the concerns raised by the House and will brief the President accordingly,” said Senator Lado.