Currently underway at the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Village, Abuja, President Bola Tinubu is holding a crucial meeting with all 36 state governors under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. The gathering, Tinubu’s second with the state executives since inaugurating the National Economic Council on June 15, 2023, aims to address the recent surge in food prices, economic hardships, and rising insecurity nationwide.
The meeting, which began promptly after the President’s arrival at 11:34 am, comes in the wake of criticism from the Presidency regarding the governors’ performance, particularly their alleged failure to meet salary, pension, and the N30,000 minimum wage obligations. Earlier, governors from the Peoples Democratic Party had likened Nigeria’s economic situation to that of Venezuela, a country grappling with hyperinflation, widespread starvation, disease, crime, and high mortality rates.
Seated alongside the President are Vice President Kashim Shettima, Director-General of the Department of State Services Yusuf Bichi, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Governors in attendance include Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara, Hope Uzodinma of Imo, Prof. Babagana Zulum of Borno, Godwin Obaseki of Edo, Sim Fubara of Rivers, Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, and Prof. Charles Soludo of Anambra. Others present are Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, Uba Sani of Kaduna, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Umar Namadi of Jigawa, Ahmed Ododo of Kogi, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, Mohammed Bago of Niger, Alex Otti of Abia, Peter Mbah of Enugu, Hyacinth Alia of Benue, and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos.
Governors from Delta, Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kano are represented by their deputies. Ministers Nyesom Wike (Federal Capital Territory), Abubakar Kyari (Agriculture), and Mohammed Idris (Information) are also in attendance. The meeting’s top priority is addressing the economic and security challenges facing the country.
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