The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized President Bola Tinubu for conferring the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Timothy Osadolor, the PDP's Deputy National Youth Leader, described the president's action as a misplaced priority. However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, argued that the president didn't do anything unprecedented.

The PDP's criticism comes after Tinubu conferred the award on Modi during the Nigeria/India Bilateral meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Tinubu said the award was a show of appreciation for the partnership and bilateral relationship between Nigeria and India.

However, the PDP expressed disappointment, wondering why Tinubu chose to gift the second-highest national honor on the basis of mere friendship. The PDP National Working Committee member emphasized that though the president has the right to confer a national honor on anybody, there must be criteria to show why they deserve it.

Osadolor also wondered if the president asked 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?"

On the other hand, 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 an honorary award on whom he pleases."

Meanwhile, Dr. Sylvester Okere, a United States of America-based Nigerian security expert, said the Indian-Nigerian partnership would secure the people's assets. Okere will speak on 'Indian-Nigerian Partnership in Securing People and Assets' at the 19th Security Leadership Summit 2024 in New Delhi.