Abuja, February 15, 2024: President Bola Tinubu is currently in a high-stakes meeting with all 36 state governors convened under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. The session is taking place at the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Village in Abuja and commenced following the President’s arrival at 11:34 am local time.
This gathering marks Tinubu’s second meeting with the state executives since the inauguration of the National Economic Council on June 15, 2023. The meeting comes in the wake of a recent surge in food prices, widespread economic hardship, and escalating insecurity across the nation.
Earlier, governors affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party drew parallels between Nigeria’s economic situation and that of Venezuela, a country grappling with hyperinflation, rising starvation, disease, crime, and high mortality rates. In response, the Presidency criticised the governors for their alleged failure to address key issues such as salary payment, pension disbursement, and the implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage.
The economic turmoil has sparked protests in various parts of the country, with citizens in states including Niger, Kano, Kogi, and Ondo demanding urgent solutions to alleviate the crisis. Organised labour has also voiced concerns, threatening to embark on a nationwide strike by February 23 if the Federal Government fails to deliver promised palliatives and assistance to mitigate the economic hardships faced by workers.
Key figures in attendance at the meeting include Vice President Kashim Shettima, Director-General of the Department of State Services Yusuf Bichi, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and President’s Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila.
Among the governors present are Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara, Hope Uzodinma of Imo, Prof. Babagana Zulum of Borno, Godwin Obaseki of Edo, Sim Fubara of Rivers, Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, and Prof. Charles Soludo of Anambra. Additionally, representatives from Delta, Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kano are in attendance, led by their respective deputies.
Also seated are Ministers of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, and Information, Mohammed Idris.
The primary focus of the meeting is expected to be devising strategies to address the prevailing economic and security challenges confronting the nation.
