meets

All living former presidents and heads of state are expected to converge on the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, at noon today (Tuesday) as President Bola Tinubu convenes the Council of State meeting.

At Tuesday’s meeting, his first since assuming office 14 months ago, members will discuss recent events nationwide, particularly the #EndBadGovernance protests, the economy, food, and national security.

It comes 18 months after the council last met on February 10, 2023, under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

At the time, Buhari had convened the meeting over the 2023 elections, the crisis emanating from the new naira policy and fuel scarcity.

Sources with knowledge of the meeting’s agenda told our correspondent that President Tinubu and his predecessors would discuss seven key issues.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the President would make presentations tagged “The Nationwide Protest as it Affects National Security and the State of the Economy.”

The President will also discuss food security issues.

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.”

The council is meeting days after Nigerians, mostly youths, hit the roads in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for a one-million-man march. The march, which suffered a low turnout, was meant to mark the 10th day of the nationwide protest against the biting cost of living.

In the early days of the protest, on August 1, demonstrations deteriorated into violence, destruction of property and loss of lives in many parts of the nation.

The PUNCH reports that at least 17 persons lost their lives in the “days of rage”.

On Saturday, August 3, 2024, some protesters in Kano State were spotted flying what appeared to be the Russian flag. Viral photos and videos taken in the northern state showed demonstrators waving the Russian flag as they chanted in Hausa, “We don’t want bad government.”

Protesters in Kaduna were also seen waving the Russian flag and chanting in Hausa, “Welcome, Russia; Welcome, Russia. Russia, an Eastern power which is currently mired in a cold war with the West, has been blamed for several unconstitutional changes of government in West African countries such as Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, and among others.

But the Nigerian military said persons flying the Russian flag are committing treason and will, therefore, be “prosecuted”. It also said it is investigating those who are instigating the move and will “take serious action” against them.

In his nationwide broadcast on August 4, the President called for dialogue and an immediate end to the protests. Tinubu said his administration is ready to listen to and address the concerns of protesters, affirming that he has heard their calls “loud and clear”.

Giving further details on the Council of State meeting, a second source who did not want to be mentioned told The PUNCH that the relevant ministers for each sector will make presentations on the President’s behalf.

“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 source explained, adding that while these ministers are not members of the Council, they will appear briefly for the talks.

The PUNCH also learned that members will take major decisions to ease tensions. as the aftershocks of the August 1 nationwide protests persist.

The National Council of State is a constitutional organ of the Nigerian government that advises the executive on policy-making, among other functions.

It includes the President (who serves as its chairman), the Vice President, all former Presidents and Heads of State, all former Chief Justices of Nigeria, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and all state governors.

Its role is largely advisory, guiding the President in decision-making processes on national security, appointments and economic policies.

At the President’s behest, the Council meets to deliberate on crucial national issues, including—but not limited to—national security, economic challenges, and the appointment of key public officials like the chairman and members of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the National Population Commission, and the Police Service Commission.

Additionally, the Council advises on the exercise of the President’s powers regarding pardons and commutations. The meetings are typically convened by the President and are not held regularly but are instead called as needed, especially when the country faces significant challenges that require input from past and present leaders.

Though not binding, the Council’s recommendations often influence presidential decisions.