President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hosted an Iftar dinner on Monday at the State House, Abuja, bringing together state governors, ministers, and heads of paramilitary agencies to mark the first such gathering of the Ramadan season.
Notable attendees included Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, whose presence comes amidst ongoing political tensions in Rivers State. Recently, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Speaker Martins Amaewhule, a Wike ally, and reinstated 27 pro-Wike lawmakers who had defected from the PDP-led Assembly, challenging Fubara’s authority.
The ruling has sparked tensions, leading Fubara to invite the legislators for a meeting to discuss the implications of the court’s decision.
The dinner was also attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and several cabinet members.
Governors present included: 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).
In addition, key government agency heads attended, including Professor Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad, Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Haliru Nababa, 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.
Also present were Farouk Ahmed, CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, and Mele Kyari, CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
