Why Speaker Abbas Deserves the GCON Honor
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has upgraded the national honor of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas from Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) to Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) following pushback from lawmakers.
Initially, Speaker Abbas was set to receive the CFR honor, but some lawmakers argued that as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the position warrants a higher honor, typically reserved for high-ranking officials like the Vice President and Chief Justice.
The GCON, being the second-highest national honor in Nigeria, is more fitting for the Speaker’s role as a key figure in the country’s legislative branch.
Lawmakers had expressed concerns about maintaining the protocol and respect accorded to the office, leading to the upgrade of Abbas’ recognition.
This move has been seen as an acknowledgment of the Speaker’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s governance structure, and the decision has been welcomed by many in the legislative community as a rightful correction to the initial honors list.