President Bola Tinubu welcomed state governors, federal ministers, and top security officials to an Iftar dinner at the State House in Abuja on Monday. The gathering, held during Ramadan, focused on governance, national unity, and politics.
Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara and former governor Nyesom Wike, now FCT Minister, attended. Their presence was particularly notable given the ongoing political tensions in Rivers State, where a recent Supreme Court ruling favored a faction loyal to Wike, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule. The decision reinstated 27 lawmakers aligned with Wike, challenging Governor Fubara’s authority over the state assembly. In response, Fubara has since invited the pro-Wike legislators for discussions on implementing the court’s decision.
Advertisement
Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff to President Femi Gbajabiamila, and key cabinet members were also present at the event.
A wide array of governors attended the dinner, including Alex Otti (Abia), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Muhammad Yahaya (Gombe), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Mohammed Bago (Niger), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), and Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi).
Heads of key government agencies also attended, including Professor Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad, Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria; Sylvester Nwakuche, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service; Jaji Abdulganiyu, Comptroller-General of the Federal Fire Service; and Bashir Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Additionally, Farouk Ahmed, CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, and Mele Kyari, CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, were part of the gathering.
President Tinubu used the dinner to meet with political leaders and discuss national issues.