Obj,Buhari,Amaechi Shun Council Of State Meeting In Abuja

THE National Council of State has unanimously endorsed the forthcoming national conference, particularly the proviso that precluded discussion on any matter that may compromise the unity of the country.  

The meeting, presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan in State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, also stressed the need for all stakeholders to fully participate in the conference.

According to Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State, who spoke with State House correspondents after the meeting, the council similarly deliberated on the state of insecurity in the country and new ways to address the situation, while it cautioned politicians on unguarded statements capable of causing public disorder.

Another matter that he said engaged the attention of the council was the forthcoming centenary celebration, as well as a list of names of new chairman and members of the National Population Commission (NPC) presented by the president for council approval.

“The president briefed us about a lot of things, including the impending conference that is coming up. There were a lot of contributions and the council approved it.

“We were also presented with a list of the new chairman for the NPC and some new members and some to be re-appointed. That too was approved.

“And then, the National Security Adviser briefed us on the general security situation in the country which all members of the council contributed as to the way forward and the decisions that will be taken to address some of the security issues that are affecting the country and then we concluded.

“The National Security Adviser briefed us about some of the unguarded statements by some prominent Nigerians that are capable of inciting people, that we should be careful as major actors in the polity to avoid making some unguarded utterances that could unwittingly incite the generality of Nigerians.

“The council took note of that and agreed that people should be more careful about what they say as public office holders,” he stated.

Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; former head of state, Major General Muhammadu Buhari and Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, were among members of the council who were conspicuously absent at the meeting.

However, the meeting attracted five other former leaders, including General Yakubu Gowon, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, General Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan and General Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Also present were Vice President Namadi Sambo; Senate President, David Mark; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Muhammad Uwais.

Among the state governors at the meeting were Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe), Rochas Okorocha (Imo) and Sule Lamido (Jigawa).

At the meeting too were Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Liyel Imoke (Cross Rivers), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Peter Obi (Anambra), Theodore Orji (Abia), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom) and Babangida Aliyu (Niger).

Other governors at the meeting were Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Martin Elechi (Ebonyi), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Saidu Dakingari (Kebbi), Emmanuel  Uduaghan (Delta), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo) and Idris Wada (Kogi).

Kano, Plateau and Borno states were represented by their deputy governors.