President Bola Tinubu hosted a grand Iftar ceremony at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, bringing together a high-profile gathering of political leaders, including the embattled Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, and his estranged godfather, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The event, held as part of the Ramadan fasting tradition, saw the President breaking the fast with governors, ministers, and heads of key government agencies.
The Iftar dinner, a customary practice during Ramadan, provided an opportunity for President Tinubu to foster unity and dialogue among Nigeria’s political elite. Among the notable attendees were Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and several cabinet members.
State governors present at the event included Dr. Alex Otti of Abia, Pastor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Hyacinth Alia of Benue, Babagana Zulum of Borno, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Monday Okpebholo of Edo, Muhammad Yahaya of Gombe, Umar Namadi of Jigawa, and Uba Sani of Kaduna. Other governors in attendance were Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano, Nasir Idris of Kebbi, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Mohammed Bago of Niger, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo, Duoye Diri of Bayelsa, and Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi.
The event also featured heads of key government agencies, including Professor Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad, Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria; Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, Acting Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service; Jaji Abdulganiyu, Comptroller General of the Federal Fire Service; and Bashir Adeniyi, Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Top officials from the energy sector, such as Abba Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, were also present.
The gathering highlighted President Tinubu’s efforts to strengthen relationships and promote unity among Nigeria’s political leaders, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan. The presence of both Governor Fubara and Minister Wike, despite their ongoing political rift, underscored the significance of the event as a platform for reconciliation and dialogue.