The National Council of State has reportedly passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his cabinet at the council’s first meeting under the current administration.
The endorsement came after the council listened to presentations from six ministers and the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu.
The meeting, held on Tuesday at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, marked the first gathering of the council in 18 months.
It was convened in the wake of recent nationwide protests against economic hardship, which had raised concerns about the Tinubu administration’s policies and handling of other national issues.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Strategy, confirmed the development in a tweet: “National Council of State passes a vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his cabinet, after listening to presentations by six ministers and the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu.”
The council, comprising former presidents, heads of state, and other top government officials, was expected to discuss several pressing matters.
These included the recent #EndBadGovernance protests, the current state of the economy, food security, and national security concerns.
Notable attendees included former presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan. Others were former heads of state, Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar, who joined virtually.
However, former President Olusegun Obasanjo was said to be absent from the meeting, neither attending in person nor virtually.
While the details of the ministers’ presentations were not immediately made public, NewsNGR reports that the vote of confidence passed in Tinubu may not be unconnected to the calls for a military takeover during the recent nationwide protests held from August 1-10 and which led to violence in some states. The protests also sparked calls for foreign intervention.