President Bola Tinubu is currently holding a meeting with all 36 state governors under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum at the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Village, Abuja.
The meeting which started after the President arrival at the chamber at 11:34 am Thursday 15 February, marks the president’s second meeting with the state executives since the inauguration of the National Economic Council on June 15, 2023.
The meeting is however not unconnected to the current increase in the prices of goods and services across the country. A situation said to have been chiefly occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy earlier last year.
It was also gathered that the rising cases of insecurity and other harsh economic realities in the country are top on the meeting’s agenda.
Recall that recently, governors elected on the aegis of the Peoples Democratic Party likened Nigeria’s economic realities to that of Venezuela, a South American country in the throes of hyperinflation, escalating starvation, disease, crime, and high mortality rates.
In a swift reaction, the Presidency however questioned the performance of the governors, pointing out their failure to pay salaries, pensions, and the N30,000 minimum wage.
Meanwhile, following the high cost of living, Nigerians across divides took to the streets of Niger, Kano, Kogi, Ondo, and other states to express their displeasure and demand for a reverse to some of the policies believed to have given birth to the current hardship experienced in the country.
Also, the organized Labour had also complained about the situation in the country, threatening to go on strike by February 23 if the Federal Government refuse to release the promised palliatives and other assistance to cushion the economic pains on workers.
Meantime, present at the meeting are Vice President Kashim Shettima, Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Governors attending are those of Kwara, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq; Imo, Hope Uzodinma; Borno, Prof. Babagana Zulum, Edo, Godwin Obaseki; Rivers, Sim Fubara; Ekiti, Biodun Oyebanji, Nasarawa, Abdullahi Sule and Anambra Prof. Charles Soludo.
Also seated are the Governors of Plateau, Caleb Mutfwang; Kaduna, Uba Sani; Adamawa, Ahmadu Fintiri; Jigawa, Umar Namadi; Kogi, Ahmed Ododo; Yobe, Mai Mala Buni; Niger, Mohammed Bago; Abia, Alex Otti; Enugu, Peter Mbah; Benue, Hyacinth Alia and Babajide Sandi-Olu of Lagos.
Meanwhile, the Governors of Delta, Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Sokoto are Kano are represented by their deputies.
Ministers of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari; and Information, Mohammed Idris, were also seated.
