President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday presided over a meeting of the National Council of State to address the current issues regarding the naira redesign and currency swap policy.
The meeting holding at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, and broadcast virtually, is also expected to discuss the 2023 elections, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, is already seated to brief the council on the preparations.
In attendance are former President Goodluck Jonathan; former Heads of State: Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar as well as ex-President, Olusegun Obasanjo who joined virtually.
Also present physically is Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Senate President Ahmad Lawan; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Governors in attendance are Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Darius Ishaku (Taraba), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), and Babagana Zulum (Borno). Other governors that are virtually in attendance are Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Simon Lalong (Plateau) and the Deputy Governors Nasarawa state and Bauchi state.
Others who joined virtually are Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal; Kebbi Governor Abubakar Bagudu; Plateau Governor Simon Lalong; Ebonyi Governor David Umahi; Kogi Govrnor Yahaya Bello; Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke; Jigawa Governor Abubakar Badaru and Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun. They were joined by Benue Deputy Governor Benson Abounu; Nasarawa Deputy Governor Emmanuel Akabe and Enugu Deputy Governor.
The Minister of the FCT, Mohammed Bello; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele also attended physically.
All the Service Chiefs and Heads of security agencies were also physically present, while two former Chief Justice of the Federation, Alfa Belgore and Mahmud Muhammad equally attend the meeting.
The National Council of State is an organ of the Federal government whose functions include advising the executive on policy making.
Membership of the Council comprises the President, Vice President, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, former Presidents, former Heads of State, former Chief Justices of Nigeria, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Governors of the 36 States and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
