PDP criticizes Tinubu over GCON conferment on Indian PM, Modi

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for awarding the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), Nigeria’s second-highest national honor, to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Nigeria.

Speaking to The PUNCH on Sunday, the PDP’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, called the gesture a “misplaced priority,” arguing that such recognition should be reserved for individuals who have made significant contributions to Nigeria’s development.

However, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) defended the decision. Nze Chidi Duru, the party’s Deputy National Organizing Secretary, dismissed the criticism, stating that Tinubu’s action was not unprecedented and aligned with diplomatic norms.

The honor was conferred during the Nigeria-India Bilateral Meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, underscoring the strategic partnership between both nations. While the APC views the move as a gesture of goodwill to strengthen ties with India, the PDP sees it as a diversion from addressing pressing national issues.

“Just look at Microsoft, the Silicon Valley in America and startups. They are all being run and set up by Indians. I would have thought that Tinubu, in a bid to shore up the lacuna his cabinet lacks, would have been humble enough to ask the Prime Minister to offer him a clue as to how to help his government and Nigerians. Not dishing out unnecessary awards that the man doesn’t need other than for pictures and commentary,” he said.

Continuing, the PDP chieftain took a further swipe at the current administration, saying it wouldn’t stop playing to the gallery with some of its alleged theatrics.

Osadolor also wondered if the President took the liberty of asking the visiting PM and his delegation the right questions on investments and how Nigeria can borrow a leaf from the Indians to move the country out of the woods.

He said, “Tinubu is not serious. He should leave out frivolities for bigger issues. Now that the Indian Prime Minister has taken it upon himself to visit Africa, yes, we have a significant and sizeable Indian community in Nigeria. But to what end can we maximize and leverage these businesses?

“Are we asking the right questions, seeking the right investments and pushing for the right policies? But the distraction from this administration is becoming one too many. I think President Tinubu should wake up from these media gimmicks and focus on the real issues.

“Nigerians are hungry and dying. The technologies the Indians are currently deploying globally will help a great deal to solve most of these basic challenges.”

But the APC Deputy National Organising Secretary, Duru, raised concerns that the PDP was not playing its role as a responsible opposition.

He said, “I think the question to ask is, whether there is a precedent in this. Then the next question is if it is within the confines of the power of Mr President to confer such an award. If it is, is the process approved? Once all these questions are answered in the affirmative, it then becomes the discretion of Mr President to confer such honorary award on whom he pleases.

“Having said that, it is also important to underscore the fact that we will need to go beyond the politics of emotions to begin to address the issue. So, the PDP is more than welcome to continue to play the role of opposition, which is admirable.

“However, we like to see a situation whereby what they put on the table is, with respect, how we can make Nigeria a lot better and more improved that will address the issues facing us as a country. I am talking about things like how do we put food on the table, create a better environment for business to thrive and create a better level playing field. These are things that should worry any of us than to chase shadow.”

Meanwhile, a United States of America-based Nigerian security expert, Dr. Sylvester Okere, on Sunday, said the Indian-Nigerian partnership would secure the people’s assets.

Okere, who would be among personalities that would be hosted by the Central Association of Private Security Industry from November 21 to 22, 2024 in India, said the invitation by CAPSI to the 19th Security Leadership Summit 2024 in New Delhi was coming at a time when the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi arrived in Nigeria for a state visit.

Okere will speak on ‘Indian-Nigerian Partnership in Securing People and Assets,’ as well as other critical security issues affecting both countries.

The PUNCH gathered that CAPSI, the umbrella organisation of the Indian private security industry, has ties with some of the leading global security education organisations like the World Association of Detectives, International Federation of Protection Officers, the US-based Association of Investigation and Security Agencies Regulators and the United Kingdom-based Security Institute for training and placement of trained youth in foreign countries.

Okere said, “This visit to Nigeria by the Indian Prime Minister will pave the way for high-level discussions between the two Presidents, focusing on strengthening cooperation in areas such as trade, technology, energy, and education.”

(Punch)