by Members of the House of Representatives from various political parties have called for the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, to be awarded the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). They expressed dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s decision to give Abbas the title of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).
The House described the honour as disrespectful, especially since the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, received the GCON title. This decision was made during President Tinubu’s Independence Day address, where he announced various national honours for key leaders.
During Wednesday’s plenary, Philip Agbese, the Deputy Spokesman of the House, raised the issue, arguing that the House of Representatives was treated as inferior to the Senate. He pointed out that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, received the GCON honour, while Abbas, who is higher in protocol than the CJN, was given a lower rank.
Other lawmakers also supported the call, stressing that their demand was for the Office of the Speaker, not just for Abbas as an individual.
More details to come…
