The All Progressive Congress, APC, has faulted the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for criticising President Bola Tinubu for conferring the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, with the Nigerian second highest national honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger.
The PDP’s backlash comes a few hours after Tinubu conferred Modi with the highest honour in the land during the Nigeria/India Bilateral meeting held at the Presidential, Abuja.
Tinubu said the award was bestowed on the Indian Prime Minister as a show of appreciation for their partnership and bilateral relationship.
Tinubu said, “Nigeria values its excellent relationship with India. We work to deepen and broaden the same to the mutual benefit of our two friendly countries. You have been doing a good job historically. Winning three consecutive elections in a complex society is a feat that we respect so much.
“I will confer on you today the Prime Minister of India, Nigeria’s national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger. This is to signify Nigerian appreciation and commitment to India as a partner.”
However, the PDP expressed dissatisfaction in Tinubu, questioning why he chose to bestow the second highest national distinction in the republic on the basis of friendship.
The member of the PDP National Working Committee highlighted that, while the President has the authority and responsibility to bestow a national accolade on anyone, there must be criteria to demonstrate why they deserve it.
“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. But this is the second highest honour in the land. It is a misplacement of priorities,” his statement partly reads.
However, the Deputy National Organising Secretary of the APC, Nze Chidi Duru, kicked, arguing that the President didn’t do anything unprecedented.
APC Deputy National Organising Secretary, Duru, raised concerns that the PDP was not playing its role as a responsible opposition.
He said, “I think 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 an honorary award on whom he pleases.
“Having said that, it is also important to underscore the fact that we will need to go beyond the politics of emotions to begin to address the issue. So, the PDP is more than welcome to continue to play the role of opposition, which is admirable.
“However, we like to see a situation whereby what they put on the table is, with respect, how we can make Nigeria a lot better and more improved that will address the issues facing us as a country. I am talking about things like how we put food on the table, create a better environment for businesses to thrive, and create a better level playing field. These are things that should worry any of us more than to chase shadows.”
