PHOTOS: Buhari receives Fayose, others, at State House

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday hosted the National Council of State meeting with state governors and former Nigerian Head of States present.

The president was pictured exchanging pleasantries with Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, his biggest and fiercest critic in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Former presidents Ibrahim Badamasi Babamgida, Goodluck Jonathan, Shehu Shagari and Earnest Shomekan are absent.

Former Presidents present are Olusegun Obasanjo and Yakubu Gowon.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Senate President Bukola Saraki are in attendance.

The governors in attendance are those of Sokoto, Delta, Adamawa, Imo, Benue, Lagos, Nasarawa, Abia, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kebbi, Plateau, Kano, Wike, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Ekiti, Zamfara, Ogun, Niger, Ebonyi.

Former Chief Justices of Nigeria, Idris Kutigi and Aloma Muktar are also in attendance.

The Council of State is an organ of the Federal Government saddled with the responsibility of advising the executive on policy making.

This is the third National Council of State meeting since President Buhari assumed office about three years ago. The first one was on October 21, 2015; and the second, September 7, 2016.

The council, which comprises president as chairman and vice president as deputy chairman, has as members; all former presidents and Heads of State all former Chief Justices of Nigeria, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, all state governors and Attorney-General of the Federation.