President Bola Tinubu has bestowed upon Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas the title of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
Lawmakers expressed divergent views after Senate President Godswill Akpabio received the GCON award and Abbas received the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) award in his speech on Independence Day anniversary.
A few House members objected, saying that the constitution gives the House equal standing with the Senate and that it shouldn’t be treated differently.
According to a statement from the House spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, the lawmakers did not reject the names as reported in the media, but rather sought clarification on them.
Another statement released on Friday by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, says “President Tinubu was persuaded by the House of Representatives position and has decided to remedy the historical error and oversight.
“Thus, he has decided to upgrade the Speaker to GCON from CFR, in accordance with the National Order of Precedence.
“The speaker, the Senate President, other principal officers of the National Assembly and the Chief Justice of Nigeria will be formally decorated with their new honours later.”