The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to bestow Nigeria’s second-highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), on India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
The decoration took place during the Nigeria-India Bilateral Meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Sunday.
Speaking with The PUNCH, the PDP’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, described the move as a “misplaced priority,” asserting that the award lacked justification beyond friendship.
“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 warrant such an honour. But this is the second-highest honour in the land. It is a misplacement of priorities,” Osadolor stated.
The criticism follows Tinubu’s announcement during the ceremony that the award symbolised Nigeria’s appreciation for its bilateral ties with India.
Tinubu highlighted India’s progress under Modi, describing him as a leader who has achieved significant feats in governance.
“You have been doing a good job historically. Winning three consecutive elections in a complex society is a feat we respect. I will confer on you Nigeria’s national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger, to signify Nigerian appreciation and commitment to India as a partner,” Tinubu remarked.
Prime Minister Modi, in turn, commiserated with Nigerians affected by recent flooding and pledged 20 tonnes of relief materials.
He also spoke about strengthening the strategic partnership between the two nations.
“There is immense scope for ties to flourish further in sectors like defence, energy, technology, trade, health, and education,” Modi stated.
However, Osadolor argued that President Tinubu should have focused on leveraging India’s economic success to address Nigeria’s challenges.
“I would have thought that the President should have asked how India moved from being the poverty capital of the world to one of the fastest-growing economies. Their technological advancements could help Nigeria tackle its challenges. But instead, we are dishing out unnecessary awards for photo ops,” he said.
Osadolor also accused the administration of indulging in distractions rather than tackling pressing national issues.
“Are we asking the right questions and pushing for policies that attract investment? Nigerians are hungry and dying. Tinubu should focus on solving these challenges rather than engaging in media gimmicks,” he added.
In response, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, defended the President’s decision, stating that the award was within Tinubu’s prerogative.
“Once the criteria are met, it becomes the President’s discretion to confer such an award. The PDP should focus on constructive criticism rather than chasing shadows,” Duru said.
Meanwhile, Dr Sylvester Okere, a US-based Nigerian security expert, noted that the Indian Prime Minister’s visit could lead to strengthened cooperation in trade, technology, and education.
“This visit paves the way for high-level discussions that could enhance bilateral relations significantly,” Okere stated.
The Indian-Nigerian partnership is expected to yield further strategic benefits, with stakeholders emphasising the importance of meaningful collaboration in addressing both nations’ challenges.
