The House of Representatives has lauded President Bola Tinubu for conferment of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) honour on the Speaker of the House Abbas Tajudeen.
Tinubu in his Independence Day broadcast on October 1st conferred the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) honour on the speaker.
The House had in the wake of the pronouncement asked that the honour be reviewed, arguing that the speaker deserves better. Days after that, Tinubu reversed himself and conferred the GCON title on the House of Representatives speaker.
Following the move, the House commended Tinubu for what it described as “addressing a significant historical oversight by conferring the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD. This action restores the constitutional parity between both chambers of the National Assembly”.
In a statement on Saturday, the spokesman of the House of Representatives Akin Rotimi quoted the speaker as hailing Tinubu for “correcting the mistakes”.
“I thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for correcting the mistakes of past administrations of not according the House its constitutional recognition. The President has once again demonstrated his democratic credentials of being a true democrat, an objective, and a listening leader,” Abbas was quoted as saying.
“With this development, Nigeria and indeed the world, now know that the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has the same status as its sister chamber, the Senate, and is treated as such. I thank the President for heeding the voices of reasoning from the House and other well-meaning Nigerians.”
READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW:
House Commends President Tinubu for Rectifying Historical Oversight in Award of National Honours
Abuja, Nigeria – Saturday, October 5, 2024 – The House of Representatives has expressed its gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for addressing a significant historical oversight by conferring the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD. This action restores the constitutional parity between both chambers of the National Assembly.
In response to this decision, Speaker Abbas praised the President’s commitment to justice and fairness:
“I thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for correcting the mistakes by past administrations of not according the House its constitutional recognition. The President has once again demonstrated his democratic credentials of being a true democrat, an objective and a listening leader.
“With this development, Nigeria and indeed the world, now know that the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has the same status as its sister chamber, the Senate, and is treated as such.
“I thank the President for heeding the voices of reasoning from the House and other well-meaning Nigerians,” Speaker Abbas said.
The House had earlier passed a resolution, spearheaded by Hon. Philip Agbese and supported by over 249 members, urging the President to remedy the long-standing discrepancy in the conferment of national honours.
The resolution specifically sought to align the recognition of the Speaker with that of the President of the Senate and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, thereby reinforcing the constitutional principle of equality between the two legislative chambers.
The House wishes to reaffirm that the appeal was not motivated by personal interest but as a matter of institutional integrity and constitutional propriety. The correction addresses the previous misperception that the House of Representatives was subordinate to the Senate, despite the constitution clearly stipulating both chambers as co-equal in legislative authority.
Speaker Abbas also extended his congratulations to the 10th House of Representatives for their unity and resolve in ensuring this important rectification. He commended Honourable Members for their steadfast commitment to defending the constitutional standing of the House, and for their collective efforts in achieving this historic correction.
Signed:
Rep. Akin Rotimi, Jr.
Spokesman, House of Representatives