President Bola Tinubu has called a meeting of the Council of State, and all extant heads of state and presidents are anticipated to gather at Aso Rock Villa in Abuja at noon on Tuesday.
Members will talk about current events across the country, including the #EndBadGovernance protests, the economy, food, and national security, at the Tuesday’s meeting, which is his first since taking office 14 months ago.
It occurs eighteen months after the council convened for the last time under former President Muhammadu Buhari on February 10, 2023.
Buhari called the meeting at the time to discuss the 2023 elections, the crisis resulting from the new currency policy, and the scarcity of petrol.
A PUNCH correspondent was informed by sources who are aware of the agenda, that President Tinubu and his predecessors would address seven major issues.
One anonymous source disclosed that the President would deliver talks titled “The Nationwide Protest as it Affects National Security and the State of the Economy.” The President will also talk about issues related to food security.
The source said, “The Council of State meeting is on Tuesday. I think it is the first one we will be holding since this President came into office because the last one was on February 10, 2023.
“We expect all former Presidents and Heads of State, Muhammadu Buhari, Goodluck Jonathan, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Ibrahim Babangida.
“The President will present on seven key areas, such as the nationwide protest as it affects national security, the state of the economy, food security, availability and affordability—that one is in the agric sector—consolidating the gains in the solid minerals sector. Then he will also talk about 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.”
A second source who wished to remain anonymous told The PUNCH that the relevant ministers for each sector will speak on behalf of the President at the Council of State meeting.
The council is convening days after one million Nigerians, primarily young people, took to the streets of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, for a march.
The poorly attended march was intended to commemorate the tenth day of the countrywide demonstration against the crippling cost of living.
Early on in the protest, on August 1, violent protests broke out around the country, resulting in property damage, casualties, and fatalities.
Protesters in the northern states were captured on camera waving the Russian flag and chanting in Hausa, “We don’t want bad government,” in widely shared images and videos.
Additionally, Russian flag-waving protesters in Kaduna were heard yelling in Hausa, “Welcome, Russia; Welcome, Russia.” Russia, an Eastern nation embroiled in a Cold War with the West, has been held accountable for a number of unlawful coups in West African nations, including Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
On August 4, the President called for dialogue and an early stop to the protests in his televised broadcast. Declaring that he has heard the demonstrators’ cries “loud and clear,” Tinubu declared that his administration is prepared to hear their issues and respond to them.
The source said: “Although it states here that the President will be making these presentations himself, actually, 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 PUNCH also discovered that members will make important choices to reduce hostilities. As the nationwide protests that began on August 1 continue to have an impact.
Among other things, the National Council of State, a constitutional body of the Nigerian government, counsels the executive on matters of policy.
All former heads of state and presidents, former chief justices of Nigeria, the president of the Senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and state governors are included in it, along with the President (who also acts as its chairman).
Its primary function is consultative, assisting the President in making decisions about economic policy, appointments, and national security.
The Council convenes at the President’s request to discuss important national issues, such as national security, economic difficulties, and the nomination of important public officials, such as the chairman and members of the Commission on Independent National Electoral Policy, the Commission on National Population, and the Police Service Commission.
The Council also offers guidance on how the President should use his pardon and commutation powers.
The President usually calls the sessions, which are not scheduled in advance but rather as needed, particularly when the nation is facing major issues that call for the opinions of both previous and present leaders.
It should be noted that, the Council’s recommendations are not legally binding, but they frequently affect the president’s choices.
