The governors’ meeting scheduled for 8:00 AM in Abuja is yet to commence, as only a handful of state executives have arrived at the venue.
Governors Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), and Usman Ododo (Kogi) were among those present at the time of reporting.
Despite the delay, the agenda distributed to journalists reveals that critical matters await deliberation. Among the key topics are.
The governors are expected to discuss ways to harmonize revenue collection and resolve discrepancies in stamp duty and royalties accounts.
The forum aims to explore avenues for attracting investment to boost Africa’s economic prospects.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, is set to present updates on ongoing efforts to amend the Nigerian Constitution.
These discussions are pivotal to addressing economic and governance challenges across the country.
The reconciliation of stamp duty and royalties accounts could potentially unlock significant revenue streams for states, while updates on the AIF and constitutional amendment could shape Nigeria’s future economic and political landscape.
The meeting comes amidst increasing calls for accountability and reform in governance.
For instance, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) recently urged governors to disclose details of Chinese loans and liabilities to foster transparency.
Meanwhile, issues such as party crises and governance challenges continue to dominate discussions across political platforms.
As governors trickle into the venue, stakeholders are hopeful that the meeting will not only commence soon but also yield actionable resolutions.
The nation watches closely as these leaders deliberate on pressing issues that could significantly impact governance and development.
While the delay raises questions about coordination, the importance of the agenda underscores the critical nature of the discussions ahead.