President Goodluck Jonathan finally convenes another meeting of the National Council of State almost a year after the last one was held.
The last time the meeting was held was on March 12, 2013 when a former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, and some other former state officials were granted pardon.
The meeting being chaired by President Jonathan will take place on Tuesday February 4th 2014, issues bordering on the planned national conference and the 2015 elections would form part of the discussions at the meeting. Highlights of the programme for the celebration of the nation’s 100 years of amalgamation will also be discussed.
The council is made up of Vice-President Namadi Sambo, as deputy chairman, all former presidents and Heads of Government, all former Chief Justices of Nigeria, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, all the 36 state governors and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former military Heads of State, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.) and Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), have not been attending the meetings.
The National Council has the constitutional duties of advising the President in the exercise of his powers with respect to national census, prerogative of mercy, award of national honours, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the National Judicial Council and the National Population Commission.
It also has the responsibility of advising the President whenever requested to do so, on the maintenance of public order within the federation or any part thereof.
