President Bola Tinubu is going through robust criticism from opposition events following his determination to confer the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on billionaire businessman, Gilbert Chagoury.
The honour is Nigeria’s second-highest nationwide award. Critics say the choice displays cronyism and weakens the worth of nationwide honours.
Leaders of opposition events described the transfer as poorly timed and ethically questionable. They argued that the award reinforces considerations concerning the President’s closeness to highly effective enterprise allies. The reactions had been sharp and unanimous in tone.
The New Nigeria Folks’s Get together (NNPP) mentioned the award suits into what it described as Tinubu’s sample of management. The social gathering claimed the President typically ignores public opinion.
In line with NNPP spokesman Ladipo Johnson, Tinubu’s lengthy affiliation with the Chagoury household made the award unsurprising.
He mentioned, “I don’t suppose there’s a want for us to really feel humorous about it. There may be nothing worrisome about it, both. It’s a scenario we’re all conscious of.”
Ladipo additionally pointed to the President’s frequent stays overseas and main tasks linked to Chagoury-owned companies. He added that the President had already made his alternative, no matter public response.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) additionally faulted the choice. Its spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, mentioned whereas the President has the authorized energy to grant honours, the motion uncovered what he known as a misuse of the system. He argued that nationwide honours shouldn’t grow to be rewards for private loyalty.
Abdullahi said, “It’s throughout the prerogative of the President to present nationwide honours to whoever he’ll.” Nonetheless, he warned that the follow now seems pushed by private ties fairly than nationwide service. He described the event as a decline in nationwide values.
The Labour Get together raised related considerations. Appearing Nationwide Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, questioned whether or not Chagoury’s contributions justified such a excessive nationwide honour. She spoke via her media aide, Ken Asogwa. Usman mentioned nationwide honours ought to mirror measurable influence on residents’ lives.
She argued that previous recipients like Aliko Dangote earned their honours via large-scale job creation and {economic} influence. In line with her, benefit, not private relationships, ought to information such selections. She described the award as a transparent case of political favouritism.
President Tinubu, nonetheless, defended the choice in an official letter dated January 8. Within the letter, he mentioned the honour was based mostly on Chagoury’s companies to Nigeria.
The letter learn partly, “In train of the powers vested in me beneath part 1(4) of the Nationwide Honours Act, I, BOLA AHMED TINUBU, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in recognition of your excellent virtues and in appreciation of your companies to our nation, Nigeria, HEREBY award to you… Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).”
The award additionally acquired help from some enterprise leaders. Billionaire investor Femi Otedola praised the popularity. He described Chagoury’s profession as impactful and galvanizing.
He mentioned, “Your life is a masterclass in imaginative and prescient, self-discipline, and regular excellence.” Otedola highlighted main actual property tasks credited to Chagoury and mentioned the honour was deserved.
Chagoury is a Lebanese-Nigerian businessman born in Lagos. He co-founded the Chagoury Group in 1971. The group operates throughout building, actual property, manufacturing, hospitality, and finance. A few of its tasks are amongst Nigeria’s most distinguished city developments.
Nonetheless, the honour comes amid ongoing controversy over the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Freeway challenge. The multi-billion-dollar challenge was awarded to Hitech, an organization linked to Chagoury. The deal drew public consideration on account of considerations over transparency and the shortage of open bidding.