When the roll call for President Muhammadu Buhari’s third Council of State meeting was taken at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, yesterday, former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan, Shehu Shagari and former military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida were absent.

Former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan was also marked absent.
Three former Heads of State, Generals Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Abdulsalami Abubakar, however, attended the meeting.

Also, former Chief Justices of Nigeria in attendance were Mohammed Uwais, Idris Kutigi, Alfa Belgore and Aloma Mukhtar.

The opening prayers were said by Gowon and Uwais.
The meeting focused on insecurity in the country as well as the 2019 general elections.

Officials from the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) reportedly briefed the council on preparations for next year’s elections.

Obasanjo, who was five minutes late, rushed into the chamber when a minute silence was being observed in honour of former CJN, Justice Dahiru Mustapha.
Thereafter, the former president went straight to shake hands with Buhari, Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Abubakar, before taking his seat.

The meeting, which began at 11:05am, was also attended by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, Attorney General of the Federation and Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami.

Before the meeting commenced, Buhari went round the Council Chambers and shook hands with his visitors.
Governors in attendance were those of Sokoto, Delta, Adamawa, Imo, Benue, Lagos, Nasarawa, Abia, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kebbi, Plateau, Kano, Wike, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Ekiti, Kogi, Zamfara, Osun, Ogun, Niger and Ebonyi.
The deputy governors of Bayelsa and Enugu were also in attendance.

Buhari shook the hand of his fiercest critic, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State.

The first meeting under this administration held in October 21, 2015 while the second held in September 2016.

The Council of State is an organ of the Federal Government saddled with the responsibility of advising the executive on policy making.

The council, which comprises the president as chairman and vice president as deputy chairman, has as members all former presidents and heads of state, all former CJN, Senate president, speaker of the House of Representatives, all state governors and the Attorney General of the Federation.

The council’s duties include advising the president in the exercise of his powers, with respect to the nation’s population census and compilation, publication and keeping of records and other information concerning same, prerogative of mercy, award of national honours, INEC (including the appointment of members of that commission), the National Judicial Council (including the appointment of members other than ex-officio members of that council); the National Population Commission (including the appointment of members of that commission).

The council also advises the president, whenever requested to do so, on the maintenance of public order and on such other matters as he may direct.

Samusu:
What will their present add?

escodotman:
Buhari should be happy that some former heads of state still honoured him and attended. Before he became president, he never attended any Council of State meeting for many years, not even for once because of his hatred and sadistic nature

Samusu:
What will their present add?

rxmusa:
What do you expect from Cynics? SABOTAGING....

Samusu:
What will their present add?

Robisky001:
Good riddance to bad rubbish. Buhari got nothing down his sleeve to offer let's exchange him with Donald Trump.

rxmusa:
What do you expect from Cynics? SABOTAGING....

rxmusa:
What do you expect from Cynics? SABOTAGING....

MRAKBEE:

Donald lost political relevance in his own state cos he stayed outta active politics and influencing who should be here and there in the state political scene. Although he had an upper hand, he rather chose to relegate himself to the background. Don became more of a celebrity after leaving office than a politician by playing the saxophone at social gatherings and hanging out with OBJ at his Otta farm.
This is typical of an average calabar man though. He is okay with what he has and wants to be at peace with everyone.he prefers to remain happy with his little goodies than cry over a loss after a careless adventure.
Don is still popular though, even more than the current governor of the state. People just like him as a person and his youthful exuberance but he ain't got a voice anymore politically. He has to go back home and water his political seeds for them to grow into useful trees.
The zoning arrangement won't work in his favour too. The North will speak with one voice against the choice of Donald Duke as a presidential candidate and won't vote for him
Nevertheless, APC will be given a hot chase if PDP chooses DEEDEE as its vice presidential candidate.

coluka:

You no get eyes? He is talking of Donald Trump not Don Etiebet.

dunkem21:
They're following the footsteps of the president..

rxmusa:
What do you expect from Cynics? SABOTAGING....

PointZerom:



Why did Buhari invite them in the first place?

Samusu:
What will their present add?