Notable attendees included former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, who were physically present, while former Heads of State Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar joined the meeting virtually. The assembly also saw participation from the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The meeting which is being held at the Council Chamber of the State House Abuja has in attendance former presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari.
According to Channels TV, former Heads of State, Generals Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar, joined the National Council of State meeting virtually. The meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu, also had in attendance the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Among the governors present at the meeting were Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers State), Hope Uzodinma (Imo State), Babagana Zulum (Borno State), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa State), Uba Sani (Kaduna State), Nasir Idris (Kebbi State), Usman Ododo (Kogi State), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe State), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun State), Abba Yusuf (Kano State), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau State), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo State), Kefas Agbu (Taraba State), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe State), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta State), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi State), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos State), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara State), Peter Mbah (Enugu State), Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq (Kwara State), and Umar Namadi (Jigawa State).
Governors Alex Otti (Abia State), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom State), and Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa State) joined virtually, while the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, attended physically. Also in attendance were former Chief Justices Alfa Belgore and Mahmud Muhammed, along with other key officials, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; and the Minister of Works, David Umahi.
In a rare gathering, a significant number of state governors were present, with some attending virtually, including Governors Alex Otti of Abia State and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State. Former Chief Justices Alfa Belgore and Mahmud Muhammed also attended, alongside other top government officials such as National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun.
The council’s agenda centered on critical national issues, particularly national security, food security, and economic policies. This meeting follows closely on the heels of nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests, which highlighted the severe economic hardships resulting from the removal of fuel subsidies and the escalating cost of living. The council was expected to deliberate on these pressing concerns, providing essential guidance to the president on the way forward.
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Ministers from various portfolios were specially invited to brief the council on the administration’s policies and the current economic direction, ensuring that the members could offer informed advice. The National Council of State, established in 1975 by General Murtala Muhammed, serves as a vital advisory body within the federal government, addressing matters such as public order, national census, and the prerogative of mercy, among others.
This meeting marked the first time President Tinubu chaired the council since assuming office, underscoring its importance in navigating the current economic challenges facing the nation.
