By Emegwoako C. Paschal
President Muhammadu Buhari has defied convention and practice for the first time in Nigeria’s sociopolitical history by disqualifying Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, a former president of the Senate who presided over the National Assembly from 2015 to 2019; from receiving the national honors award at an event scheduled to take place on Tuesday, October 11, at the State House in Abuja.
On the list of recipients for the prestigious national honors for 2022, are 437 Nigerians, including politicians, public servants, security personnel, businesspeople, traditional leaders, academics, retired public servants, religious figures, and musicians.
Saraki’s obvious exclusion from the list has prompted comments from some well-known Nigerians, who said the president shouldn’t break with tradition, especially since Saraki was deserving of the honor.
The custom and practice had always been for the vice president, senate president, and CJN to receive the title either upon taking office or whenever recipients of national awards were typically given them.
However, it was thought that Saraki had not received the GCON because Buhari had not yet given out the honors to anyone. But after the full list was released and the investiture date was revealed, it was obvious the president may have purposefully omitted Saraki due to their political rivalry.
The nomination process, according to sources, is typically the responsibility of the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), but this year, because the task was given to different people, the departure from tradition, norm, and practice were unavoidable.
A source claims that this year’s nomination procedure was handled jointly by the Justice Sidi Bage Committee and the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, which is led by Senator George Akume, a former governor and senator who is presumed to be knowledgeable.
Saraki’s case was reportedly the subject of intense discussion among the committees. Some members reportedly emphasized the value of maintaining convention, but a small number of “powerful members” allegedly dismissed this and insisted on his exclusion in order to appease the president.
In a recent speech on the matter, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mike Ozekhome urged Buhari to fix his glaring error before the event.
According to Ozekhome’s explanation, the vice president and senate president are typically given the national honor of GCON. I really want to think that the president didn’t notice it. Since this goes beyond politics, he can still make changes by adding his name before the award date.
Professor Iyorwuese Hagher, a former high commissioner of Nigeria to Canada, also stated that he thought Saraki deserved the honor on the basis of merit, adding, “I believe that in keeping with the hallowed tradition in the conferment of the honorable awards, all former senate presidents deserve the title of GCON, including Dr. Bukola Abubakar Saraki.
“Buhari should quickly schedule a ceremony for such awards to restore his reputation as the father of the country and not just a supporter of political bias.”
Ariyo-Dare Atoye, executive director of the Adopt A Goal Initiative, urged the federal government to drop the idea of disqualifying deserving citizens from the awards, as it had been reported in the media.
In a statement, Atoye argued that Saraki’s exclusion could paint the Buhari administration as “petty, low, and vindictive.”
The late Abba Kyari, who served as the president’s chief of staff, is also set to receive a posthumous CFR award, according to the list of the recipients seen by THISDAY. On April 17, 2020, Kyari passed away due to COVID-19 complications.
Other people on the list for posthumous recognition include the late activist Gambo Sawaba, MFR, the late scholar Bala Usman, OFR, the late former Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, CFR, and the late elder statesman Chief Anthony Enahori, who would receive CON.
In addition, Buhari nominated his nephew Mamman Daura, his personal assistant Sabiu Yusuf (Tunde), his in-law, Alhaji Nasir Bayero, the Emir of Bichi, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Chris Isiguzo, and other individuals close to him for the National Honours Awards.
