President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday presided over the first meeting of the Council of State since he assumed office on May 29, 2015.
The Council of State is chaired by the President with the Vice President, all living former Presidents and Heads of State; President of the Senate; Speaker of the House of Representatives; all living former Chief Justices of Nigeria and all state governors as members.
Present at the meeting were former Heads of state Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd.); Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd.); Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar (retd.); and Chief Ernest Shonekan.
Absent were former Presidents Shehu Shagari, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan. President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, who earlier in the day appeared at the Code of Conduct Tribunal was also absent.
According to Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said the Council commended a former National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega for his excellent performance in office.
Mallam Shehu said the council was full of praise for Jega for presiding over elections that were generally accepted as free and fair worldwide.
He said the President directed the council secretariat to note of the commendations.
“The council noted and commended Prof. Jega for his laudable activities as the chairman of INEC.
“The President directed that the secretariat should note the commendations.
“A letter of commendation may later be sent to the former INEC boss,” the Senior Presidential Media Aide told State House correspondents.