Deteriorating security amid alleged Police distractions from its core responsibilities and appointment of a successor to Professor Mahmood Yakubu as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are said to be on top agenda for the epoch twin meetings of Council of State and Police Council in Abuja on Thursday.
According to Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, Council of State meeting will hold in Abuja on Thursday,
It will be a hybrid meeting – physical and virtual – statement, last night, from the SGF office added,
Also to hold on Thursday is the meeting of the Police Council.
Both meetings are slated for the Council Chamber of Aso Villa in Abuja.
Council of State, which has not been held fir a very long time, possibly, once since the inception of this administration, is the highest advisory body to the President.
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Its responsibility include endorsement of some major appointments as recommended by the President, such as: nomination of the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), among others.
All living former heads of state and Presidents are members.
Former Chief Justices and governors are also members of the august body.
But metrobusinessnews.com (MBN) gathered that the conduct of the Nigerian Police, particularly as it relates to the tainted glass issue is causing disquiet at the presidency.
This is because, sources close to the presidency told MBN that rising insecurity in the counyry, particularly in the North East and North Central, with recent ugly situations in Kwara state should be enough concern for the police, rather than preoccupying itself with ‘mundane issues’ as tainted glasses and carrying bags for government officials, money bags and celebrities.
” In internal security such as terrorism and abductions, among others, the police should position itself as a leading force and providing strategies for curtailing them. But, what we are seeing in Nigeeia is a complete abdication of responsibilities by the police, who are rather busy in providing security to some Nigerians. The most annoying aspect is the appoinrment of a third party by the police to collect momey for the registration exercise as if it has become a revenue
generating arm of government,” a source with greater insight into the happenings at the presidency told MBN.
Condenming the role of the IG, another source said, “Trust me, the President will be advised at the meeting to tame the excesses of the IG, who they allege is becoming overreaching and the need to stop embarassing the government.”
On the Council of State, sources told MBN that swelling oppositions to speculated appointees by the President for confirmation by the National Assembly have become matters for concerns to the presidency, hence “the need as a matter of courtesy to carry the Counvil along ‘ and hold the meeting to unveil the person to them.
“With Yakubu’s tenure likely to end by the end of November and considering the swell of oppositions to some names being speculated, the ideal thing is for the president to foreclose all suggestions by political parties and unveil the person to the council before forwarding it to NASS. And your guess is as good as mine as to the urgency by NASS to approve the appointee. I can assure you that president Tinubu will have his way as usual and the appointment will follow similar pattern for which presidency has been known since inauguration,” he added.
However, the statement on the meeting made available by Director of Information and Public Relations in the office of the SGF, Segun Imohiosen reads: “The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON, has extended an invitation to members of the Council of State and Police Council to a hybrid strategic meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 9, 2025.
“According to the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office, Dr. Emanso Okop Umobong, the meeting aims to discuss matters of national importance and key issues affecting national security and policing.
“This high-level meeting underscores President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to addressing pressing national issues and ensuring the safety and security of citizens”.
Specifically, this will be President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second Council of State meeting.
The first was held on August 13, 2024, attended by former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and the late Muhammadu Buhari.
The meeting gave a vote of confidence to the Tinubu’s administration and discussed key national issues.
But, tongues are wagging as to whether Jonathan will attend the meeting considering some political permutations for the 2027 elections recently.
“Nigerians are anxiously waiting to see Jonathan, who has recently become ‘enemy of the villa , even before his official deckaration’ at the meeting and the likely disposition of the presidency to his presence. “
