- President Bola Tinubu hosted the Council of State meeting at the Council Chambers of the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja
- Among the attendees are former presidents, former Heads of State, alongside Abia, Adamawa, and Akwa Ibom State governors
- Former president Obasanjo shuns the Council of State meeting
President Bola Tinubu chaired the Council of State meeting at the Council Chambers of the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja on Tuesday, August 13.
Former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammad Buhari were on site for the inaugural meeting convened by President Tinubu.
Former Heads of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.) and General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.) joined the meeting virtually alongside Abia, Adamawa, and Akwa Ibom State governors.
It comes 18 months after the council last met on February 10, 2023, under former President Muhammadu Buhari. At the time, Buhari had convened the meeting over the 2023 elections, the crisis emanating from the new naira policy and fuel scarcity.
The gathering will see members discuss recent events nationwide, particularly the #EndBadGovernance protests, the economy, food, and national security.
Tinubu and his predecessors would discuss seven key issues. They included the Nationwide Protest as it Affects National Security and the State of the Economy, and in the agricultural sector, they will discuss Food Security, Availability, and Affordability.
Tinubu would also make presentations on Consolidating the Gains in the Solid Minerals Sector, Renewed Hope in Budgeting and Planning for Sustained Development, Renewed Hope in the Road Sector, and leading a Strong Industrial Base for Transformation and Growth.
Meanwhile, TheRadar gathered that the relevant ministers for each sector would make presentations on the President’s behalf.
A source said, “Although it states here that the President will be making these presentations himself, his ministers will be briefing the Council on his behalf. For instance, we are expecting presentations by the National Security Adviser [Mr. Nuhu Ribadu], he will brief the Council on the nationwide protest as it affects national security.
“The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security [Abubakar Kyari] will discuss the food availability and affordability. The Minister of Solid Minerals Development [Mr. Dele Alake] will present on his sector, and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning [Abubakar Bagudu] will present on budgeting.
“Minister of Works [David Umahi] will also present on the road infrastructure while the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment [Dr. Dorris Uzoka-Anite], will present on building a strong industrial base,” the source explained.
The source added that although the ministers were not members of the Council, they would appear briefly for issues that pertain to them.
What’s the Council of State about?
The National Council of State is a constitutional organ of the Nigerian government that advises the executive on policy-making, among other functions. It includes the President (who serves as its chairman), the vice president, all former presidents and heads of state, all former chief justices of Nigeria, the senate president, the speaker of the House of Representatives, the attorney-general of the federation, the secretary to the government of the federation, and all state governors.
The council's role is mainly advisory, guiding the president in decision-making processes on national security, appointments, and economic policies.
At the president’s behest, the Council meets to deliberate on crucial national issues, including national security, economic challenges, and the appointment of key public officials like the chairman and members of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the National Population Commission, and the Police Service Commission.
However, the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, shunned the Council of State meeting in Abuja, as he was observed to be absent from the meeting amongst other former presidents.
Tinubu's re-election: Niger, Mali, 3 other countries that have left ECOWAS
Meanwhile, in an earlier report, TheRadar compiled the list of countries that have either been suspended from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) or left the bloc since 1975. ECOWAS was formed to promote economic integration in all fields of economic activity, but it has seen at least 5 member countries leave.
The countries are Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea.