The House of Representatives has rejected the National Honour conferred on Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, citing discrimination by President Bola Tinubu.
The President awarded Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere Ekun, while Abbas and Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau received the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).
The House took umbrage with the perceived disparity in honours, arguing that both chambers of the National Assembly should be treated equally. This stance was echoed in a motion of urgent public importance moved by Philip Agbese, which garnered the support of 360 members.
The motion emphasized that the Reps are not inferior to Senators, stressing the need for equal recognition. Furthermore, it advocated for the abolition of the “upper chamber and lower chamber nomenclature”, promoting a more egalitarian approach to the National Assembly’s structure.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, a seasoned politician and academic, has been a member of the House since 2011 ¹. Born on October 1, 1965, in Kwarbai, Zaria, Kaduna State, Abbas holds a doctorate degree in business administration from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
The House’s decision highlights the sensitivity surrounding the honours and the desire for parity between the two chambers. As the National Assembly continues to navigate its relationship with the executive branch, this development underscores the importance of mutual respect and equality.
