PDP Slams Tinubu Over GCON Conferment To Indian PM

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized President Bola Tinubu for awarding the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), Nigeria’s second-highest national honor, to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Abuja.

The award, conferred on Modi at the Nigeria-India bilateral meeting, was described by the PDP as an example of “misplaced priority.”

Timothy Osadolor, Deputy National Youth Leader of the PDP, expressed dissatisfaction with the decision, questioning the rationale behind bestowing such a high honor on a foreign leader based solely on diplomatic relations.

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“The second-highest national honor should not be given out simply for friendship or ceremonial purposes,” Osadolor said, adding that the honor should be reserved for those who have made significant contributions to Nigeria.

He suggested that President Tinubu should have used the opportunity to learn from India’s economic growth, particularly its transformation from poverty to becoming one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

However, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed the PDP’s criticism, arguing that the president had every right to confer the award as a reflection of Nigeria’s strong partnership with India.

Nze Chidi Duru, Deputy National Organizing Secretary of the APC, defended the award, emphasizing that such honors were well within the president’s discretion.

Despite the differing views on the award, the visit of Modi also included discussions on expanding Nigeria-India ties in areas such as trade, technology, defense, and education.

Modi expressed condolences over Nigeria’s recent floods and pledged support, including 20 tonnes of relief materials.