PDP Reacts as Tinubu Confers GCON Award on Indian Leader

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for conferring the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) award on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The PDP described the move as "misplaced" and questioned the appropriateness of such recognition for a foreign leader, urging Tinubu to prioritize national interests.

According to the PDP, the President should have instead focused on negotiating investments or partnerships that would benefit Nigeria. The party's Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, expressed disappointment in Tinubu, wondering why he chose to gift the second-highest national honor in the land on the basis of mere friendship.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), however, defended the President's decision, stating that it was within his rights to confer the award and that it was not unprecedented. The APC Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, argued that the President's actions were not unusual and that the PDP was failing to fulfill its duties as a responsible opposition.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was sworn-in as India's Prime Minister for the third time on June 9, 2024, following another decisive victory in the 2024 Parliamentary elections. This victory marked the third consecutive term for Modi, further solidifying his leadership.

As the Prime Minister of India, Modi's powers and duties include heading the Council of Ministers, allocating portfolios to ministers, and communicating cabinet decisions to the President. The Prime Minister is also the chief architect of government policy and maintains overall supervision over government ministries and departments.

The Prime Minister's term coincides with the term of the Lok Sabha, which is five years, unless a motion of no confidence is passed to challenge the government's majority. There is no limit on the number of times an individual can be elected Prime Minister.

The controversy surrounding the GCON award has sparked a heated debate among Nigerians. While some have praised the move as a gesture of goodwill, others have criticized it as a waste of resources. The PDP's criticism of President Tinubu's decision has highlighted the need for the President to prioritize national interests and focus on addressing the pressing issues facing Nigeria.