The National Council of State Tuesday endorsed the proposed national conference scheduled to kick off in March.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, last week released the modalities for the conference.
President Goodluck Jonathan presided over the meeting that was attended by Vice President Namadi Sambo, former Heads of State, General Yakubu Gowon, Ibrahim Babangida, former President Shehu Shagari and Head of the Interim Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan.
However, conspicuously absent were former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari. Also present at the meeting were Senate President David Mark, Speaker Aminu Tambuwal.
The meeting which was attended by all the governors with exemption of Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Rabiu Kwakwanso (Kano) deliberated on the national conference, the centenary celebration and security situation in the country.
In a chat with State House Correspondents after the meeting, Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue had this to say, “The President briefed us about a lot of things including the impending nation conference that is coming up. There were a lot of contributions and the council approved it.
“We were also presented with a list of the new chairman for the population Commission and some new members and some to be reappointed.
“That too was approved and then the National Security Adviser briefed us on the general security situation in the country which all members of the council contributed as to the way forward and the decisions that will be taken to address some of the security issues that are affecting the country and then we concluded.
“The National Security Adviser briefed us that some of the unguarded statements by some prominent Nigerians that are capable of inciting people, that we should be careful as major actors in the polity to avoid making some unguarded utterances that could unwittingly incite the generality of Nigerians.
“The council took note of that and agreed that people should be more careful about what they say as public office holders”.
