… president Tinubu have not issued a statement on the agenda or outcome of the meeting
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | President Bola Tinubu on Friday held a closed-door meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Although details of the discussions were not disclosed, the meeting followed reports of an incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport involving former Kaduna State governor and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Nasir El-Rufai.
El-Rufai, a founding member of the ruling All Progressives Congress who played a key role in Tinubu’s 2023 election victory, reportedly fell out with the administration after he was dropped from the ministerial list. Since then, he has emerged as a vocal critic of the government and has vowed to align with others to prevent the President from securing a second term.
Security operatives from the Department of State Services and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission were alleged to have attempted to detain the former governor upon his arrival from Cairo on Thursday.
Sources close to El-Rufai claimed the move was made without a formal warrant or prior invitation, describing it as a violation of due process. It was also alleged that his international passport was briefly confiscated during the episode, though security agencies have yet to officially confirm the claim.
While it is unclear whether the airport incident featured in the Presidential Villa talks, the timing of the meeting has fueled public interest and speculation. As of press time, the Presidency had not issued a statement on the agenda or outcome of the meeting.
Tinubu also met separately with Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia; and the Chief Executive Officer of God Is Good Motors, Chidi Ajaere.
The Kwara governor was seen leaving the Villa alongside the NSA, while the Benue governor departed without speaking to journalists.
