While most people were winding down for the weekend, President Bola Tinubu was busy behind closed doors. The air in Aso Rock felt heavy on Friday as high-profile figures slipped in for a conversation that wasn’t on the official public calendar. If you look closely at the guest list and the timing, the secrets behind Tinubu’s emergency meeting with Ribadu expose a government trying to manage a situation that is quickly spiraling out of control.
The Airport Drama That Started It All
You cannot talk about this meeting without talking about what happened at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport earlier that day. Rumors caught fire that security agents from the DSS and the EFCC tried to intercept Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State.
Word on the street is that his passport was even seized for a moment. While the government hasn’t put out a formal statement confirming the “arrest attempt,” the fact that the President called an immediate huddle suggests there’s fire behind that smoke. It’s important to remember that El-Rufai was a vocal supporter of Tinubu and played a massive role in helping him secure the 2023 election victory. However, things have clearly spiraled out of control since then, with El-Rufai turning into a vocal critic after being dropped as a ministerial nominee. He has even vowed to mobilize opposition forces against a potential second term for the President.
Why Ribadu and the Governors Were Called In
The presence of Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, tells you everything you need to know. This wasn’t a meeting about the economy or new roads. This was about security and political stability. When you bring the NSA into a room with the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, and several governors, you are talking about “damage control.”
The secrets behind Tinubu’s emergency meeting with Ribadu exposed a deep concern within the presidency about how to handle El-Rufai without making him a martyr. Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna was there, which makes sense since El-Rufai is his predecessor. Governors from Kwara and Benue were also present. The atmosphere was reportedly tense, so much so that Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue walked out without saying a single word to the waiting press.
The Silent Power Players in the Room
One name that raised eyebrows was Chidi Ajaere, the CEO of God is Good Motors. Why is a transport tycoon in a high-level security meeting? Some insiders suggest the government is looking at logistics or perhaps trying to bridge gaps with the private sector to ensure the country stays calm if political tensions boil over.
When Ribadu left the Villa, he didn’t leave alone; he drove off with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq of Kwara. This wasn’t a “bye-bye” at the door; this was a continuation of the strategy session on the move.
What This Means for the Future
The government is keeping its lips sealed, but the silence is deafening. By looking at who was there, the secrets behind Tinubu’s emergency meeting with Ribadu exposed a presidency that is fully aware of the brewing opposition. If the airport incident was a “warning shot” that backfired, this emergency meeting was likely about figuring out how to fix the narrative before it gets worse.
Whether it’s a case of security agencies overstepping or a calculated move to keep a rival in check, one thing is obvious: the peace at the Villa is fragile.
