Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has clarified that the recent gathering of APC governors in Lagos was primarily to brief President Bola Tinubu on security issues and strategize ahead of the party’s convention.
Speaking at his investiture as Patron of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in Abuja on Monday, Sule apologised to Nasarawa residents for holding the ceremony outside the state due to a tight schedule.
“We were willing to come to Nasarawa State, but yesterday most of the governors were in Lagos to meet with Mr President. After lunch, we had a lengthy meeting on security issues, and later, our usual late-night governors’ session in preparation for the APC convention, which lasted past 2 a.m.,” he said.
The Lagos meeting, held at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, followed a visit to President Tinubu at his Ikoyi residence. While 31 governors were expected, 21 were present. The session was presided over by PGF chairman and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, with Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu hosting. Other governors in attendance included Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Sule (Nasarawa), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Abba Yusuf (Kano), Umaru Bago (Niger), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Namadi Umar (Jigawa), Dikko Radda (Katsina), and Douye Diri (Bayelsa).
At the investiture, Sule highlighted the importance of leadership and innovation in national development, praising NIPR’s role in nurturing leadership. He recalled receiving the institute’s Leadership Prize during its 60th anniversary and described it as a recognition of performance comparable to international awards.
Ike Neliaku, President and Chairman of the NIPR Governing Council, commended Sule as a visionary leader. He noted that the governor’s support had improved the institute’s impact and governance perception in Nasarawa State, citing a rise in the state’s governance rating from 30.4% in 2024 to 83.6% in 2026.
Sule expressed gratitude for the recognition and reiterated his commitment to leadership, innovation, and service to his state and the nation.
