Governors meet Tinubu for security talk and APC convention plan

Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule don explain why governors from All Progressives Congress gather for Lagos to meet President Bola Tinubu. According to Sule, the meeting na to discuss serious security matters and prepare for the upcoming APC convention.

Sule talk this matter on Monday during his investiture as Patron of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations for Abuja. He say the tight schedule wey come from the governors meeting for Lagos make them change the venue of his investiture from Lafia to Abuja.

The governor say, “First, make I apologise to our good people of Nasarawa, especially our leaders, say this event dey hold for Abuja instead of our state. The reason na because of tight schedule wey we get. We wan come Nasarawa State. But yesterday, you know say most governors dey Lagos to meet with Mr President.”

He add say, “After we chop lunch, we hold long meeting, especially on security matters, wey we present before the President. We also hold our usual long meeting of governors till late night to prepare for our APC convention. The meeting last until after 2am today.”

The PUNCH newspaper don report say governors wey APC elect gather for Lagos on Sunday for high-level meeting before governorship primaries wey go hold next month. The meeting happen for Eko Hotel for Victoria Island, after dem don visit Tinubu for him Ikoyi residence earlier.

Although dem expect 31 governors, 21 governors show up as of 9:40pm. The meeting na under the chairmanship of Progressive Governors Forum Chairman and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, while Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu host am.

Other governors wey attend include Mai Mala Buni from Yobe, Dapo Abiodun from Ogun, Sheriff Oborevwori from Delta, Lucky Aiyedatiwa from Ondo, Bassey Otu from Cross River, Agbu Kefas from Taraba, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq from Kwara and Monday Okpebholo from Edo.

Also dey for the meeting na Umo Eno from Akwa Ibom, Sule from Nasarawa, Siminalayi Fubara from Rivers, Usman Ododo from Kogi, Francis Nwifuru from Ebonyi, Caleb Mutfwang from Plateau, Abba Yusuf from Kano, Umaru Bago from Niger, Peter Mbah from Enugu, Namadi Umar from Jigawa, Dikko Radda from Katsina and Douye Diri.

For the investiture ceremony, Sule talk about the importance of leadership and innovation for national development. He express admiration for the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations say, “I always wan know wetin NIPR dey about, and I discover say dem dey promote innovation. This na why I believe say leadership na one of the things wey Nigeria need to excel, because all the potential dey there.”

He add say, “So I develop special interest for NIPR because of how dem dey promote, nurture and look at leadership. My first recognition for NIPR na during their 60th anniversary. Dem find me worthy to receive the Institute Leadership Prize.”

Sule explain say this prize different from regular awards because e dey similar to Nobel Peace Prize, O'Brien Prize and Zik Prizes, wey he happy to receive as governor.

President and Chairman of NIPR Governing Council, Ike Neliaku, describe Sule as visionary leader wey him support for the institute don make impact. Neliaku say, “This exercise no be waste. E dey improve our status, especially to play our role as monitors of trends. We don dey monitor wetin dey happen for Nasarawa State.”

Neliaku talk say, “Your Excellency, we acknowledge you as leader with plenty vision and foresight. We appreciate you well well, the people and government of Nasarawa State, for your big support to Nigeria Institute of Public Relations.”

He also mention improvements for the state governance perception ratings, say Nasarawa State rise from 30.4 percent for 2024 to 83.6 percent for 2026 according to independent study.

The meeting between Tinubu and the governors show how security concerns and party politics remain top priorities for Nigeria leaders as dem prepare for upcoming political activities.