Tinubu Holds Private Meeting with 1999 Governors

President Bola Tinubu on Friday hosted several former state governors who were first elected in 1999, at a private gathering in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The former governors, who were part of the group that came into power at the start of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, were led by ex-Delta State Governor James Ibori.

Also in attendance were Adamu Aliero (Kebbi), Joshua Dariye (Plateau), Saminu Turaki (Jigawa), Boni Haruna (Adamawa), Donald Duke (Cross River), Sam Egwu (Ebonyi), Lucky Igbinedion (Edo), Jolly Nyame (Taraba), Victor Attah (Akwa Ibom), Niyi Adebayo (Ekiti), and Adamu Mu’azu (Bauchi).

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume who also served as Benue State Governor from 1999 to 2007  welcomed and introduced the delegation to the President at the start of the meeting.

However, a number of notable names from the 1999 set were absent, including Bisi Akande (Osun), Olusegun Osoba (Ogun), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia), Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu), and Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna).

Though the Presidency has yet to release an official statement on the purpose of the meeting, the gathering is seen in political circles as part of a wider effort by President Tinubu to engage key political figures ahead of future national discussions.

The 1999 governors remain an influential group in Nigerian politics, having helped shape the early years of democracy following decades of military rule.