By Precious Momoh
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized President Bola Tinubu for conferring the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), Nigeria’s second-highest national honour, on the visiting Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. The ceremony took place during the Nigeria-India bilateral meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Sunday.
President Tinubu described the award as a symbol of Nigeria’s appreciation for its relationship with India, emphasizing the historical ties and ongoing partnerships between the two nations. “Nigeria values its excellent relationship with India. We work to deepen and broaden the same to the mutual benefit of our two friendly countries,” Tinubu said, highlighting India’s achievements in governance and its global influence.
However, the PDP expressed disappointment in the decision. Speaking with The PUNCH, PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, called the action a “misplacement of priorities,” questioning the rationale for granting such an honour. Osadolor argued, “It is not something you dish out for the sake of friendship and all of that. I don’t know what the Indian Prime Minister has done to have warranted such an honour. This is the second-highest honour in the land. It is a misplacement of priorities.”
Criticism of Decision Sparks Political Debate
The conferment has drawn varied reactions from political stakeholders. The PDP argued that the focus should have been on learning from India’s economic successes, particularly its technological advancements and strategies for lifting millions out of poverty.
Osadolor further emphasized the missed opportunity for Nigeria to engage Modi on issues such as economic revitalization and technological collaboration. “I would have thought that Tinubu, in a bid to shore up the lacuna his cabinet lacks, would have been humble enough to ask the Prime Minister to offer him a clue as to how to help his government and Nigerians,” he added.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), however, dismissed the PDP’s criticisms. Deputy National Organizing Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, defended the President’s decision, stating that it was neither unprecedented nor outside his constitutional prerogatives. “The question to ask is, whether there is a precedent in this. Then the next question is if it is within the confines of the power of Mr. President to confer such an award. If it is, is the process approved? Once all these questions are answered in the affirmative, it then becomes the discretion of Mr. President to confer such honorary awards on whom he pleases,” Duru argued.
The APC urged the PDP to focus on constructive opposition by proposing solutions to pressing national issues. “We like to see a situation whereby what they put on the table is… how we can make Nigeria a lot better and more improved. These are things that should worry any of us than to chase shadow,” Duru said.
Despite the political discourse, the bilateral meeting between Nigeria and India yielded promising outcomes. Modi pledged 20 tonnes of relief materials to support Nigeria in the wake of recent floods that devastated several states. “We had a very productive discussion with President Tinubu. We talked about adding momentum to our strategic partnership. There is immense scope for ties to flourish further in sectors like defence, energy, technology, trade, health, education, and more,” Modi remarked.
The partnership also received support from other stakeholders. Dr. Sylvester Okere, a U.S.-based Nigerian security expert, highlighted the significance of the collaboration, particularly in enhancing trade, technology, and education. Okere is scheduled to speak on the “Indian-Nigerian Partnership in Securing People and Assets” at the 19th Security Leadership Summit 2024 in India. He noted that Modi’s visit to Nigeria would pave the way for high-level discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation.
