By Mercy Aikoye
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for correcting the historical mistake of not recognizing the House’s constitutional status. President Tinubu initially announced the conferment of the Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR) on the Speaker and the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on the President of the Senate and the Chief Justice of Nigeria during his Independence Day address on October 1.
However, the House of Representatives, through a motion by Hon. Philip Agbese and 249 others, urged the President to correct this oversight and accord the House the same status as the Senate in the conferment of National Honours. The House had long suffered discrimination, being referred to as the “lower chamber” despite the constitution placing both chambers on equal footing.
President Tinubu promptly responded to the House’s resolution by withdrawing the CFR honour and conferring the GCON on the Speaker through his Special Adviser, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, on Friday night.
Mr. Onanuga stated that President Tinubu was persuaded by the House’s position and decided to remedy the historical error. This upgrade aligns with the National Order of Precedence.
Speaker Abbas expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for demonstrating good leadership and recognizing the House’s constitutional status.
According to Abbas, President Tinubu’s action demonstrates his democratic credentials as a true democrat, objective, and listening leader.
The Speaker also congratulated the 10th House of Representatives for this historic achievement, thanking his colleagues for standing against the age-long discrimination.
With this development, Nigeria and the world now acknowledge the House of Representatives as equal to the Senate.
President Tinubu’s decision reinforces the principles of equality and fairness, ensuring that both chambers of the National Assembly receive equal recognition and treatment.
