Mercy Gadia
Abuja Fct — President Bola Tinubu has reversed his earlier decision, elevating the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, from the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) to the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). This move comes after a debate within the House prompted lawmakers to urge the President to bestow a higher honor on Abbas.
In his Independence Anniversary Speech on October 1, Tinubu initially conferred the CFR on both Abbas and the Deputy Senate President. However, following discussions in the House, it became clear that the Speaker deserved recognition in line with the National Order of Precedence.
A statement from the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the upgrade as a corrective measure for what was deemed a “historical error.” The statement noted that the Speaker, alongside the Senate President, other principal officers of the National Assembly, and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, will be formally decorated with their new honors in a forthcoming ceremony.
This decision reflects Tinubu’s responsiveness to legislative sentiments and highlights the significance of national honors within the political landscape.