In a significant development, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presided over his first Council of State meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The meeting, a key advisory body in Nigeria’s governance structure, saw the attendance of several prominent figures, including former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan.
Also joining the meeting, though virtually, were former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar, highlighting the importance of this gathering for national policy discussions. The Council of State plays a crucial role in advising the President on key policy decisions and other matters of national interest.
Notably absent from the meeting was former President Olusegun Obasanjo. His absence comes amid ongoing public protests against the economic policies of the Tinubu administration, particularly the removal of fuel subsidies, which has sparked widespread discontent across the country.
Obasanjo, who recently voiced his support for the protesters, stating that their demands are legitimate, chose not to attend the meeting, raising eyebrows among political observers.
The meeting, Tinubu’s first since taking office, comes at a critical juncture. Just days prior, several Nigerians had taken to the streets to protest the prevailing economic hardship, demanding a reversal of certain government policies, including the controversial removal of the fuel subsidy.
Meanwhile, in a departure from tradition, President Tinubu extended special invitations to his ministers to attend the ongoing meeting. This move is seen as a strategic attempt to provide the Council members with a comprehensive understanding of the current administration’s policies and direction, allowing them to offer informed advice on the way forward for the nation.
As the Council of State convenes to deliberate on these pressing issues, the nation’s eyes are on the outcome of the meeting, which could significantly influence the trajectory of Nigeria’s policy landscape under the Tinubu administration.