In a significant move, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has upgraded the national honor of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to the prestigious Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
This decision comes after mounting pressure following the Speaker’s initial conferment of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) during the 64th Independence Anniversary celebrations.
The House of Representatives, in a session on Wednesday, called on the President to rectify what many lawmakers described as a historical oversight, urging Tinubu to award Abbas the GCON honor, which better aligns with his position according to the National Order of Precedence.
Responding to the House’s appeal, President Tinubu acted to “remedy the historical error,” as the upgraded honor reflects the appropriate status of the Speaker within the ranks of national leadership.
“President Tinubu has decided to confer the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on the Speaker, in line with the National Order of Precedence,” a source revealed.
The formal decoration of the Speaker, Senate President, other principal officers of the National Assembly, and the Chief Justice of Nigeria will take place at a later date.
