Omnious Sign: APC Governors and Buhari shun Jonathan's council of State Meeting. Signifying his government is no longer recognised

Omnious Sign: APC Governors and Buhari shun Jonathan's council of State Meeting. Signifying his government is no longer recognised

The ingredients for the unsavoury broth being prepared by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Jonathan are slowly being gathered. A day after Governor Raji Fashola openly rubbished Jonathan's administration and his counterpart flew to London to lambaste Jonathan before the international community from the BBC, the APC made their boldest statement of not regarding the government of Jonathan. The party instructed her governors and their top presidential contender Muhamadu Buhari to shun the Council of State meeting.

All state governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday boycotted the Council of State convened by President Goodluck Jonathan. And none of them sent a representative.

As of the time the meeting started at 11.30am inside the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, only Peoples Democratic Party governors were in attendance.

This is quite significant as it simple sent a strong message that APC does not regard the government of Jonathan anymore. The implications of this is very grave indeed.

Also absent at the meeting were a former Head of State and presidential aspirant of the APC, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.); and the embattled Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal.

However, former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former President Shehu Shagari; former dictator Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd.); former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan; and the President of the Senate, David Mark, were in attendance.

The meeting was said to be called, among other reasons, to review the deteriorating security situation in parts of the country.

The President serves as the Chairman and the Vice President serves as the Deputy Chairman of the council. Other members of the council are all former Presidents and all former Heads of Governments, all former Chief Justices of Nigeria; President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, all state governors and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The council’s duties include to advise the President in the exercise of his powers with respect to the national population census and compilation, publication and keeping of records and other information concerning the same; prerogative of mercy; award of national honours; the Independent National Electoral Commission (including the appointment of members of that Commission); the National Judicial Council (including the appointment of the members, other than ex-officio members of that Council); and the National Population Commission (including the appointment of members of that Commission).

Council members are also saddled with the responsibility of advising the President whenever requested to do so on the maintenance of public order within the Federation or any part thereof and on such other matters as the President may direct.

This is APC's first salvo, to prepare the ground. Their next salvo may not be as 'subtle' as this.