On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu chaired the second gathering of the National Council of State since taking office, with several prominent former Nigerian leaders notably absent, including General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) and ex-Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan.
The meeting, conducted in a hybrid format within the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, began at approximately 1:30 p.m. It convened a diverse group of current and past national figures, governors, and senior government officials.
Joining remotely were former military rulers General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd) and General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), who participated via virtual link.
Those present in person included Vice President Kashim Shettima; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; alongside numerous serving state governors.
Governors attending physically were AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Ahmed Aliyu (Sokoto), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Uba Sani (Kaduna), and Alex Otti (Abia). Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State participated virtually.
Also present were former Chief Justices of Nigeria, including Muhammad Tanko, Mohammed Belgore, Walter Onnoghen, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, alongside the incumbent Chief Justice, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
Established under Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Council of State functions as the President’s paramount advisory body on vital national matters such as security, the prerogative of mercy, national population census, appointments to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and issues concerning public order.
This particular meeting took place amid heightened expectations regarding the selection of a new INEC chairman, following the impending departure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose term concludes next month.
The vacancy at INEC, combined with escalating security challenges in various regions and preparations for the 2027 general elections, were anticipated to dominate discussions.
Following the Council of State session, President Tinubu was set to lead the Nigeria Police Council meeting at 2:00 p.m., focusing on police leadership appointments, promotions, and strategies to enhance internal security nationwide.
This was the second Council of State meeting convened by President Tinubu since his inauguration in May 2023. The inaugural session, held in August 2024, similarly addressed economic reforms, national security, and governance issues.
Traditionally, the Council of State acts as a platform for the President to engage elder statesmen and institutional leaders, fostering unity and providing guidance on matters critical to Nigeria’s cohesion, security, and democratic resilience.
