Peter Obi Sparks a Debate Over Who Deserves GCFR and GCON

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has called for a total rethink of Nigeria’s national honours system, arguing that top awards like the GCFR and GCON should be reserved for individuals driving real economic growth not politicians.

Obi made the statement in Abuja on Thursday during the public presentation of The Chronicles of a Legend, a biography of billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Sir Gabriel Igbinedion.

He used the occasion to advocate for a system that values productivity over politics.

“The Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) and the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) should be for entrepreneurs and productive people not politicians,” Obi said.

“We need to change the way we honour people in this country.”

Obi’s comments struck a chord with many in attendance, particularly those in the private sector.

The former Anambra governor praised Igbinedion’s contributions in aviation, education, and cultural preservation, stressing that real nation-builders are those who create jobs and generate opportunities not just those who occupy public office.

“We live in a country where we celebrate people who are not supposed to be celebrated,” Obi remarked.

“If we truly honoured the right people, the celebration we are giving him today would have come even earlier.”

Obi also noted that Igbinedion’s vast investments across multiple sectors have translated into direct employment for thousands of Nigerians something he believes should be a major criterion for national recognition.

“If we were a productive country, over 20 million Nigerians would be employed by now. Igbinedion alone employed over 17,000 Nigerians,” Obi stated.

His statement is widely seen as a critique of the current honours culture, where national awards often go to serving or retired politicians, regardless of their contribution to the economy or public welfare.

Obi’s position reflects his longstanding belief in meritocracy, efficiency, and private-sector-led development.

Throughout his 2023 presidential campaign, he emphasized the need for economic productivity, investment in SMEs, and the dismantling of what he described as a political patronage system.

Obi’s remarks could reignite debate about who qualifies for the country’s highest honours.

While past recipients of the GCFR and GCON have largely been former heads of state, vice presidents, and political elites, critics say the system ignores those whose impact is felt in job creation, innovation, and national development.

By placing Igbinedion at the center of his argument, Obi is not just praising a man he’s pushing for a broader cultural shift.

The message is clear: Nigeria’s future lies not in politics as usual, but in celebrating and empowering those who build the economy from the ground up.

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