Following public and legislative outcry, President Bola Tinubu has upgraded the national honour of Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, from Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) to Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
The decision follows widespread debate after the president’s initial honours announcement during Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day celebrations.
In a statement released on Friday night by Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the president acknowledged the concerns raised by the House of Representatives and opted to rectify what was described as a “historical error and oversight.” Onanuga stated, “President Tinubu was persuaded by the House of Representatives’ position and has decided to upgrade the speaker to GCON, in accordance with the National Order of Precedence.”
The move came after intense debate in the House of Representatives, where members unanimously called on the president to elevate Speaker Abbas’ honour to the prestigious GCON, citing the position’s significance in the nation’s hierarchy.
The GCON rank is typically reserved for high-ranking officials in the executive and judiciary branches of government, marking this decision as a significant gesture towards recognizing the leadership role of the Speaker of the House.
