In a high-stakes meeting on Tuesday, the Council of State—comprised of former Presidents, Heads of State, and key government figures—unanimously passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The meeting, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and presided over by President Tinubu himself, also denounced recent protests against hunger and bad governance as attempts to destabilize the government.
Support from Key Leaders
The confidence vote was endorsed by notable figures including Generals Yakubu Gowon, Muhammadu Buhari, and Abdulsalami Abubakar, as well as former President Goodluck Jonathan. Both Buhari and Jonathan attended the meeting in person, while Generals Gowon and Abubakar participated virtually.
However, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) were conspicuously absent, with no official explanation provided for their non-attendance.
Statements and Reactions
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) briefed State House correspondents after the meeting.
He stated, “The Council of State unanimously passed a vote of confidence on President Tinubu for his governance approach. We are satisfied with the presentations made by the ministers on the progress of the economy.”
Dr. Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Mineral Development, echoed the Council’s support, saying, “The Council praised President Tinubu for resisting any forceful takeover of the government.”
He added that the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, had briefed the Council on the security situation in the country, particularly in relation to the protests.
Council’s Stance on Protests
The Council of State condemned the #EndBadGovernance protests, describing them as “insurrection” and a movement aimed at regime change.
“The Council of State believes that no one should be allowed to truncate our hard-earned democracy. Any change in leadership should come through the ballot box and not through insurrection,” Dr. Alake remarked.
Economic Progress Reports
The meeting also featured presentations from seven ministers on economic diversification and progress. Wale Edun, Minister of Finance, provided an update on the economy, highlighting advancements made under Tinubu’s administration.
The Council’s firm stance in support of President Tinubu and its condemnation of the protests underscore a decisive moment in Nigeria’s political landscape.