PDP Chieftain Slams President for Awarding Indian Prime Minister Nigeria’s Second-Highest Honour
In a scathing criticism, Timothy Osadolor, the Deputy National Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has lambasted President Bola Tinubu’s decision to confer India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, with Nigeria’s second-highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
The award was handed out during the Nigeria/India Bilateral meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where President Tinubu said the recognition was a token of appreciation for their partnership and bilateral relationship.
However, Osadolor disagrees, stating that the President’s action is unwarranted and reflects a misplaced priority. “It’s not something you do for the sake of friendship,” he emphasized, adding that there should be criteria to justify the conferment of such a prestigious honour.
Osadolor questions what Modi has done to deserve the award, instead suggesting that President Tinubu should have sought his guidance on how to address Nigeria’s economic challenges. He noted that India’s economy has transformed significantly, making it one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and wondered why President Tinubu didn’t ask Modi to share his country’s secrets.
The PDP chieftain also lamented the current administration’s tendency to engage in theatrical displays, rather than addressing the country’s pressing issues. “Tinubu is not serious. He should leave out frivolities for bigger issues,” Osadolor said.
He pointed out that Nigerians are struggling with basic needs such as food and shelter, and that the country should be focusing on adopting technological solutions to address these challenges, rather than making gestures that only serve to entertain the media.
