L-R: Vice President Kashim Shettima, Former President Goodluck Jonathan, President Bola Tinubu, Former President Muhammadu Buhari and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, at the Council of State meeting held at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Council of State meeting
The Federal Government has traced at least N83 billion in cryptocurrency and fiat money linked to the recent nationwide protests, according to a report
This sum includes $50 million in cryptocurrency, with $38 million blocked across four wallets, and N4 billion contributed by various political actors in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina.
These findings were part of a presentation by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu during the inaugural meeting of the Council of State, convened by President Bola Tinubu at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja. Multiple sources with knowledge of the meeting revealed that Ribadu, addressing the topic ‘The Nationwide Protest As It Affects National Security,’ also identified a European national as the mastermind behind the proliferation of foreign flags during the protests. The individual is expected to be declared wanted by the police. Additionally, local collaborators in Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano have been arrested.
L-R: Buhari, Tinubu and Jonathan
On Tuesday, it was reported that President Bola Tinubu convened a Council of State meeting to discuss various national matters, including the recent #EndBadGovernance protests, national security, the economy, and food security.
The Council of State is composed of the President (serving as its chairman), the Vice President, all former Presidents and Heads of State, all former Chief Justices of Nigeria, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and all state governors. However, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Head of State General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.) did not attend the meeting.
The gathering came days after a one-million-man march in Abuja, which marked the 10th day of nationwide protests against the rising cost of living. These protests, which began on August 1, escalated into property destruction and loss of lives, particularly in the North, with at least 17 deaths reported.
During the protests, demonstrators in Kano and Kaduna were seen waving Russian flags and chanting in support of Russia, a nation currently embroiled in a proxy war with the West and associated with several unconstitutional changes of government in West African countries. The Nigerian military condemned the use of Russian flags as a treasonable offense and announced investigations into those responsible, with plans to take serious action.
In a broadcast on August 4, President Tinubu warned against using the protests to promote an unconstitutional agenda, emphasizing that regime changes must occur through elections, not insurrection. Security agencies have identified at least four politicians from Katsina, Kaduna, and Kano who allegedly promoted the use of the Russian flag to incite regime change, leading to their arrests. The mastermind behind these actions, a foreign agent, is still at large and is expected to be declared wanted by the police.
Former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari attended the Council meeting, while former Heads of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.) and General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), joined virtually along with governors from Abia, Adamawa, and Akwa Ibom States. The National Security Adviser briefed the Council on the security situation and the government’s actions during and after the protests.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, affirmed that no political actor would be allowed to instigate an unconstitutional regime change, labeling the #EndBadGovernance protests as an attempt to do so. He reiterated that changes in government must be achieved through the ballot.
Finance Minister Wale Edun presented data showing a growing economy with stabilizing exchange rates and slowing inflation, although it remains high. He highlighted optimistic prospects for Nigeria’s economy, particularly in non-oil exports and the service sector.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, announced a unanimous vote of confidence in President Tinubu by the Council, signifying satisfaction with the administration’s progress.
This Council meeting was the first in 18 months, with the last one held in February 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari. The National Council of State, a constitutional body, advises the President on national security, economic policies, and key appointments, and although its recommendations are not binding, they often influence presidential decisions.
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