The House of Representatives has criticised the perceived discrimination in the recent conferment of national honours by President Bola Tinubu.
Lawmakers expressed concerns after Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, were awarded the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), while Speaker Tajudeen Abbas received the lesser honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).
In a motion sponsored by all 360 members, the House criticized the disparity, arguing that both chambers of the National Assembly are equal and that the Speaker should not be ranked below the Chief Justice.
The lawmakers urged President Tinubu to rectify what they described as an error, emphasizing that the Green Chamber deserves equal recognition in terms of national honours.
The controversy arose during Tinubu’s Independence Day broadcast, where the national honours were announced.
While Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin received a CFR, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu was awarded the Commander of the Order of Niger (CON).
