Issues around state Police, national security and 2019 elections time table are topping the agenda as former Heads of State Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo, and Abdulsalami Abubakar, attend the National Council of State meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting which is the third under the current administration is also being attended by former Chief Justice of Nigeria including Mohammed Uwais, Idris Kutigi, Alfa Belgore and Aloma Muktar.
Former leaders absent are Shehu Shagari Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Earnest Shonekan and Goodluck Jonathan.
The opening prayers were said by Gowon and Uwaise.
BusinessDay gathered from the Presidential Villa that the meeting is focusing on issues of insecurity in the country as well as the coming elections in 2019, with officials of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) summoned to brief the council.
Obasanjo, who was five minutes late, rushed when a minute silence was being observed in honour of the late former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Mustapha.
He then went straight to shake hands with Buhari Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Abubakar before taking his seat.
The meeting, which began at 11:05am, is also being attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister, Abubakar Malami.
Before the meeting commenced, Buhari had gone round the Council Chambers to shake hands with his visitors.
The governors in attendance are those of Sokoto, Delta, Adamawa, Imo, Benue, Lagos, Nasarawa, Abia, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kebbi, Plateau, Kano, Wike, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Ekiti, Kogi, Zamfara, Osun, Ogun, Niger and Ebonyi.
The deputy governors of Bayelsa and Enugu are also in attendance.
The first meeting under this administration held in October 21, 2015 while the second held in September 2016.
The Council of State is an organ of the Federal Government saddled with the responsibility of advising the executive on policy making.
The council, which comprises president as chairman and vice president as deputy chairman, has as members; all former presidents and Heads of State all former Chief Justices of Nigeria, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, all state governors and Attorney-General of the Federation.
Its duties include advising the president in the exercise of his powers with respect to the National population census and compilation, publication and keeping of records and other information concerning the same; prerogative of mercy; award of national honours; the Independent National Electoral Commission (including the appointment of members of that Commission); the National Judicial Council (including the appointment of the members, other than ex-officio members of that Council); the National Population Commission (including the appointment of members of that Commission).
The council also advises the president whenever requested to do so on the maintenance of public order and on such other matters as the he may direct.
Details Later..
Tony Ailemen, Abuja
