Tinubu Presides Over FEC Meeting as 2027 Campaigns Begin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday presided over a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the State House in Abuja, his first council meeting since June 29.

The meeting brings together senior members of the administration, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, ministers, presidential aides and heads of government agencies.

The council meeting is taking place as Nigeria’s political parties formally begin preparations and campaigns for the 2027 general elections, adding a political backdrop to the gathering. The 2027 presidential campaign season officially opened on Wednesday.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima is not attending the meeting as he remains on a two-week official leave approved by President Tinubu. Shettima began the leave on August 6 and is expected to return on August 20.

Before commencing deliberations, members of the council observed a minute’s silence in honour of two former ministers who died last month.

They were Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji, a former Minister of Finance, and Professor Turner Isoun, who previously served as Minister of Science and Technology.

The tributes provided a solemn opening to the meeting before the council proceeded with its scheduled business.

The FEC meeting is also being closely watched for decisions that could affect the administration’s economic, security and development agenda as Tinubu’s government enters another phase of its tenure.

The June 29 FEC meeting, the last before Wednesday’s gathering, considered a number of government policies and projects, including reforms in the health and public-service sectors.

Wednesday’s meeting therefore marks the return of the Federal Executive Council after more than seven weeks, with ministers expected to deliberate on issues before the administration.