President Bola Tinubu has hit a U-turn by awarding the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), the nation’s second-highest national honor, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
During his speech commemorating Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary on October 1, President Tinubu initially conferred the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on both the Speaker and the Deputy Senate President.
Following this announcement, a debate ensued in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, advocating for the President to elevate the Speaker’s honour.
Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onaugua in a released statement on Friday said in response to the House’s position, President Tinubu decided to correct what was seen as a historical oversight.
He said as a result, he has elevated Speaker Abbas from CFR to GCON in line with the National Order of Precedence.
According to Onanuga, the formal decoration ceremony for the Speaker, the Senate President, other principal officers of the National Assembly, and the Chief Justice of Nigeria would take place soon.
