Tinubu Chairs Council of State Meeting Amid INEC, Security Concerns

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday presided over a meeting of the Council of State at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where key national issues, including insecurity and the possible appointment of a new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), were on the agenda.

The closed-door session, which is being held inside the Council Chambers of the State House, is Tinubu’s second Council of State meeting since assuming office, following a similar gathering convened in August 2024.

Those attending include former Presidents Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, who joined the meeting virtually, alongside Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo.

However, as of the time the meeting went into a closed session, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.), and former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan were not sighted.

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Also in attendance are the Vice President, Kashim Shettima; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

A number of serving state governors were also present, including those of Kwara, Rivers, Enugu, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Borno, Ogun, Sokoto, Edo, Kaduna, and Abia States.

The meeting, which traditionally brings together serving and former Presidents, Heads of State, Vice Presidents, Chief Justices of Nigeria (serving and retired), as well as state governors, serves as an advisory platform on matters of national importance.

According to sources within the Presidential Villa, the Council is expected to deliberate extensively on rising insecurity across several regions of the country, particularly banditry and kidnapping in the North-West and North-Central zones.

The body is also expected to review the process leading to the appointment of a new INEC Chairman, following the end of tenure of the incumbent, and to advise on policy coordination among the three tiers of government.

The Council of State, established under Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), is an advisory body that counsels the President on the exercise of executive powers, appointments to key national offices, and the conduct of elections.

Its members include the President, Vice President, all former Presidents and Heads of State, former Chief Justices of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and all state governors.