President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday chaired a meeting of the National Council of State at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The President arrived at the Council Chambers around 1:30 p.m., where the session began with the national anthem before moving behind closed doors.
Notably absent were former Heads of State Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo, and Goodluck Jonathan. However, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar joined virtually, along with Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State.
Those physically in attendance included Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and four former Chief Justices of Nigeria — Walter Onnoghen, Mahmud Mohammed, Alfa Belgore, and Olukayode Ariwoola.
Also present were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and several governors from across the country, including those of Kwara, Rivers, Enugu, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Borno, Ogun, Sokoto, Edo, Kaduna, and Abia States.
The Council of State, as outlined in the Constitution, serves as an advisory body to the President on key national matters such as security, elections, population census, and the prerogative of mercy.
This marks President Tinubu’s second Council of State meeting, following the first held in August 2024.
Thursday’s session reportedly focused on pressing national concerns, including the state of security across the country and the appointment of a new Chairman for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
