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Buhari, Jonathan, Gowon, Abdulsalami, Others Pass Vote Of Confidence On Tinubu
The Council of State, which includes former Presidents and Heads of State, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, serving and retired Chief Justices of Nigeria, and State governors, passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s administration on Tuesday.
The Council of State characterized recent protests over hunger and poor governance as an insurrection and an attempt at regime change.
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The vote of confidence was supported by former leaders including Generals Yakubu Gowon, Muhammadu Buhari, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The meeting, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, was chaired by President Tinubu.
Former Presidents Buhari and Jonathan attended the meeting in person, while Generals Gowon and Abubakar participated virtually.
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida were absent, with no reason provided for their non-attendance.
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, informed State House correspondents that the council was unanimously supportive of Tinubu’s governance and satisfied with the ministers’ presentations on the economy’s progress.
He said, “We indeed had a very robust meeting. The high note of the meeting was a unanimous passage of a vote of confidence on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian armed forces.
“Members, especially those of the Nigerian Governors Forum, were satisfied with the presentation by the members of the Federal Executive Council, and after that meeting, there was an executive session between members of the Nigerian Governors Forum and Mr President.
“Frank and fruitful discussions were held between both parties, and I’m glad to say we’re on the right track. And to say in the same vein, members of the NGF also, like the members of the Council of State, passed a vote of confidence on Mr President.
“We also wished him well and prayed for God guidance for him.”
Dr. Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Mineral Development, also noted that the Council of State commended President Tinubu for his resistance against an attempted forceful takeover of the government.
He further explained that National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu updated the Council of State on the security situation, focusing on the events surrounding the nationwide protests.
The minister highlighted that the #EndBadGovernance movement was deemed by the Council as an effort to undermine Nigeria’s established democracy. The Council affirmed that changes should occur through democratic means, not through insurrection.
He also mentioned that seven ministers provided the Council with reports on advancements in economic diversification and the overall economy.
He said, “As you all are aware, the Council of State just concluded its meeting with all the former heads of state in attendance, physically or virtually.
“The last count, I think most of them were physically attending. The former heads of state, General Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan, were there physically, and the rest were there virtually, via Zoom.
“So in essence, in principle, all of them were in attendance. And that’s a very eloquent testimony to the kind of support that they are giving to our current president, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“A lot of issues were exhaustively discussed at the meeting. And of course, you know that, apart from the former heads of state, the Constitutional composition of the Council of State includes all governors,, security adviser, Attorney General and the rest. So the governors were all in attendance as well.
“And some of us ministers who are invited to make presentations on our road map on what we’ve been able to achieve, the prospects and the challenges in our various ministries.
“And so myself, the Solid Minerals, coordinating Minister of the Economy and the Finance Minister, Mr Wale Edun was also there to make a presentation.
“The Minister of Budget was also there he made his presentation. The Minister of Works also made a presentation, the Minister of Trade and Investment. Dr Doris was also there. The Minister of Agriculture also was invited.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Sunday, January 26, 2025, to participate in the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The two-day summit, scheduled for January 27-28, 2025, is aimed at advancing “Mission 300,” a pan-African initiative to provide electricity to 300 million people across the continent by 2030.
Hosted by the Tanzanian government in collaboration with the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank, the summit will bring together African leaders, private sector stakeholders, development partners, and civil society organizations.
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The goal is to develop strategies for accelerating energy access in underserved regions, increasing renewable energy adoption, and mobilizing private sector investment.
According to a statement released on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, the summit will serve as a platform for sharing expertise, knowledge, and resources to address Africa’s energy challenges.
The first day of the summit will feature ministerial-level discussions, during which participating nations, including Nigeria, will present their national energy strategies, or “compacts,” detailing their plans to achieve universal energy access within five years.
On the second day, African Heads of State will sign the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, a unified roadmap for achieving the goals of Mission 300.
President Tinubu is expected to deliver a national statement reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to universal energy access and its leadership role in the continent’s energy sector.
He will also highlight Nigeria’s ongoing clean energy initiatives and integrated energy delivery strategies aimed at fostering sustainable development across Africa.
Accompanying the president will be key government officials, including Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, and Special Adviser to the President on Energy Olu Verheijen.
President Tinubu is set to return to Abuja immediately after the summit concludes.
The menace of illegal migration is getting diplomatic attention from the Italian authorities and the Edo State Government.
The Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, Fred Itua divulged this in a government house statement issued in Benin City on Saturday.
He explained that the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edesili Anani had expressed the readiness of the Governor, Monday Okpebholo-led administration to tackle the menace of irregular migration among youths in the state.
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It was gathered that Anani made the stance public on Friday in Government House, Benin City, when Dr. Alberto Cilala, a consultant to the European Union and President of Mattei Africa for Humanitarian Aids Initiative in Italy, led a delegation to her office.
Welcoming the delegation, she highlighted the importance of collaboration to address the challenges posed by irregular migration.
The Coordinator expressed her gratitude to the delegation, and emphasized the transformative impact the partnership will bring to Edo State.
In her words, “This initiative will reduce unemployment, create job opportunities, and address human trafficking and irregular migration. It will also enhance education, skills acquisition, agricultural investment, and infrastructural development for our people.”
On his part, Dr. Cilala emphasized that the Mattei Plan would provide valuable skills to Edo State residents, including tailoring, furniture-making, shoemaking, and more.
“The Mattei Plan was launched by the Italian Government with a focus on six key sectors: education and training, health, security, agriculture, and renewable energy. The goal is to promote integrated development and improve living conditions, particularly in rural areas.
“These projects will be fully funded by the Italian Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Labour,” he stated.
Former Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Government on Anti-Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration, Solomon Okoduwa, in his remarks, said the Mattei Plan prioritizes practical measures to reduce irregular migration and human trafficking.
“Although nine African countries are involved in this initiative, Edo State is a crucial partner for Italy. This partnership will strengthen bilateral relations under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo,” he said.
Brand Ambassador of the Mattei Plan, Olorogun John Paul, popularly known as Daddy Showkey was at the event and lauded the initiative.
He noted, “This program provides an opportunity for Edo State beneficiaries to gain training in various skills, equipping them for sustainable livelihoods.”
Supporters of the impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, on Saturday morning stormed the Speaker’s Lodge located at 47 Joel Ogunnaike Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.
The supporters, dressed in pro-Obasa vests and caps, arrived in large numbers at the premises.
According to multiple sources, the group was planning a “heroic welcome” for the former Speaker, who was recently removed from office by a majority of lawmakers in the House.
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Obasa, who was out of the country at the time of his impeachment, was replaced by the former deputy speaker, Mojisola Meranda.
Since her emergence as Speaker, Meranda has presided over two sittings, with Obasa absent from both.
The choice of the Speaker’s Lodge as the location for Obasa’s supposed welcome sparked controversy, as he is no longer officially entitled to the property following his removal.
A resident in the area expressed surprise over the situation, saying, “I didn’t expect that the lodge would be opened for them.”
Armed security personnel, including police officers, were deployed to the area to maintain order and prevent any potential disruption.
As of the time of filing this report, Obasa had yet to arrive at the lodge.
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