Ahead of Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, President Muhammadu Buhari will on Friday hold an emergency meeting of the Council of State.
The President intends to deliberate on national crises including Naira scarcity, insecurity, fuel crisis and others – some of which had led to protests in various parts of the country.
The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele is expected to provide an update on the new currency redesign policy at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja, at 10 am.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba is expected to brief the council on the preparation for the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections as well as the March 11 gubernatorial and state houses of assembly polls.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu will also be at the briefing where decisive decisions to calm frayed nerves ahead of elections and avert a potential national crisis will be reached.
The National Council of State is an organ of the Nigerian government whose functions include advising the executive on policy making.
Membership of the Council comprises President Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, former presidents, former heads of state, former chief justices of Nigeria.
Others include President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, governors of the 36 states of the federation and the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
The Council of State meeting is coming against the backdrop of the Naira scarcity and fuel shortage, which has hampered movement, crippled businesses and provoked violent protests in some states of the Federation.