A high-level Council of State meeting is underway at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, with key political and judicial figures in attendance. Among the early arrivals are several former Chief Justices of Nigeria (CJNs), marking the start of what promises to be a crucial national deliberation.
This session is the second Council of State meeting under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. One of the major highlights on the agenda is the presentation of nominees for the position of Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Council of State, which serves as an advisory body to the President, comprises serving and former Presidents, ex-Heads of State, sitting and retired CJNs, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, all 36 state governors, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), among other senior government officials.
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Physically present at the Council Chambers are Senate President Godswill Akpabio, along with four retired Chief Justices—Walter Onnoghen, Mahmud Mohammed, Alfa Belgore, and Olukayode Ariwoola. A large number of state governors have also arrived to participate in the discussions.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, is in attendance, coordinating proceedings ahead of the President’s arrival.
As of 1:30 p.m., President Tinubu had not yet joined the session, while former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), was participating virtually.
Following the recitation of the national anthem, the meeting transitioned into a closed-door session to deliberate on pressing national matters, including the leadership of INEC and other governance-related issues.
