The House of Representatives has rejected President Bola Tinubu’s decision to confer the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) on Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, arguing that it is discriminatory and falls short of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) honor being awarded to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
During a plenary session on Wednesday, lawmakers voiced their disapproval, emphasizing that the National Assembly consists of two equal chambers and that it is unfair to grant a higher honor to the Senate President. They also pointed out that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, who ranks lower in protocol than the Speaker, is set to receive the GCON, further demonstrating the disparity.
Several lawmakers argued that individuals like Aliko Dangote and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who never held elective office, have received the GCON, reinforcing the case for Speaker Abbas to receive the same recognition. As a result, the House has formed an ad hoc committee to engage with the Ministry of Special Duties and advocate for their demand.
The decision followed a motion raised by Philip Agbese, a representative from Benue, who highlighted the constitutional equality of the Senate and House of Representatives and criticized the persistent “culture of discrimination” against the House.
