Tinubu’s aide: CFR honours not to undermine Reps

Senator Basheer Lado, President Bola Tinubu‘s Special Adviser on Senate Matters, has clarified more about the National Honors that President Tinubu bestowed earlier this week on the Senate and House of Representatives presiding officers.

In his national broadcast during Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary, President Bola Tinubu conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger on the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Commander of the Federal Republic on both the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

The Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, received the Commander of the Order of Niger title.

However, the following day, during separate plenary sessions, while Akpabio and Barau were congratulated by their fellow Senators, a motion was raised in the House of Representatives concerning the appropriateness of the honour conferred on the speaker.

This was later denied by the House via a statement by the spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, who stated that the lawmakers in the Green Chamber only sought clarity on the titles.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, Senator Lado explained that the honours were based on established precedents and procedures, not on any arbitrary criteria.

The statement read in part, “I would like to clarify that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, exercising his authority under the National Honours Act, conferred the esteemed title of Commander of the Federal Republic on the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas PhD, based on established precedents, and it was not meant to undermine the Speaker or the House of Representatives.”

He further commended the House for clarifying the situation, stating, “I, however, commend the House of Representatives for its clarification regarding the National Honour conferred on the Speaker by the President during Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day celebrations.”

Senator Lado also reiterated Tinubu’s commitment to maintaining a harmonious working relationship with the National Assembly, emphasizing that such cooperation is crucial to achieving the nation’s development goals.

He added, “It is noteworthy that the House did not reject the honour conferred on the Speaker but rather sought clarification on the National Order of Precedence.

“The motion presented before the House was framed as an institutional issue, not a personal request by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.”

He further acknowledged the supposed House’s appreciation of the honour.

Lado stated, “The House of Representatives had also clearly stated that it appreciated the honour bestowed on the Speaker by the President and did not reject the title of Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR.

“This Office has acknowledged all the concerns raised by the House and will brief the President accordingly.”

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