President Bola Tinubu has been engaged in a marathon meeting with traditional rulers and State Governors.
Although the agenda of Thursday’s meetings is unknown, it may be connected to the planned protests against economic hardship scheduled for August 1 – 10.
The protests, organised under the hashtag ‘EndBadGovernance,’ have gained significant traction on social media even as the organisers remain largely anonymous, with no group officially claiming responsibility.
The President had met with Governors from the All Progressives Congress, under the aegis of the Progressives Governors Forum at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
This meeting follows an earlier conclave of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum on Wednesday night and comes after a last-minute cancellation of the National Economic Council meeting earlier scheduled for noon Thursday.
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Ministers of Finance and Budget & Economic Planning, Wale Edun and Abubakar Bagudu, respectively were spotted at the meeting.
In the same vein, the President met with traditional rulers at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi led the delegation of the royal fathers.
Although the agenda of the meeting is unknown, it may also be related to growing calls for nationwide protests against economic hardship, scheduled for August 1 – 10, 2024.
The meeting began at about 2:30 pm when the President arrived at the Council Chamber.
Present are Vice President Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Also present are Governors Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman of Kwara State, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, and Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, who chairs the Progressives Governors Forum.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, also joined President Tinubu at the meeting.
