President Bola Tinubu is currently holding an emergency meeting with top traditional rulers at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja on Thursday.
The delegation of royal fathers is led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.
The meeting commenced at around 2:30pm when President Tinubu arrived at the Council Chamber. While the agenda of the Thursday’s meeting remained undisclosed at press time, it is speculated to address the rising calls for nationwide protests against current economic hardship, slated for August 1 – 10, 2024.
The protests, being organised with the hashtag ‘EndBadGovernance,’ have garnered substantial momentum on social media platforms. Despite the growing support, the organisers remained largely anonymous, with no official group claiming responsibility.
Key officials present at the Aso Rock meeting included Vice President Kashim Shettima; Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume; National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.
In addition, Governors Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman of Kwara State, who is the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), and Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, who doubles as the. chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), were also in attendance. Joining them are the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu.
Prior to this meeting, President Tinubu had engaged in discussions with APC Governors at the Presidential Villa, although the governors did not provide any briefing to the press after their meeting.
