By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
President Bola Tinubu is currently presiding over a meeting of the Council of State at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he is expected to present nominees for consideration as the next Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The hybrid session, which commenced at 1:29 p.m. on Thursday, comes just 48 hours after Prof. Mahmood Yakubu concluded his tenure as INEC Chairman, marking the end of his 10-year leadership that spanned two administrations and three general elections.
According to a draft agenda sighted by The PUNCH before the meeting went into a closed-door session, Tinubu will present three nominees to the Council for consideration — Prof. Joash Amupitan, Justice Abdullahi Mohammed Liman, and Prof. Lai Olurede. The trio, all distinguished legal and academic experts, are being evaluated as potential successors to Yakubu.
The PUNCH earlier reported that at least five candidates underwent background checks by the Department of State Services and other security agencies.
Former Heads of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.) and Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), joined the meeting virtually, while former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan had yet to join at the time of filing this report.
Those in physical attendance include Vice President Kashim Shettima; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Also present are Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and several state governors, some of whom are represented by their deputies.
The Council of State, established under Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution, serves as an advisory body to the President on crucial national matters, including appointments to the INEC Chairmanship, the National Population Commission, and the National Judicial Council.
Thursday’s gathering marks the second Council of State meeting under the Tinubu administration, following the first one held in August 2024 amid widespread protests across the country.
The President is also expected to brief the Council on issues concerning the economy, national security, and other pressing matters before forwarding his final recommendations to the Senate for approval.