The expanded security meeting summoned for today by President Goodluck Jonathan did not hold. The meeting was to have been held at the Aso Presidential Villa in Abuja, with all the 36 state governors in attendance.

No reason was given for the failure to hold the meeting but Aso Rock sources said it has been rescheduled for tomorrow.

President Jonathan had summoned an emergency security meeting last week Thursday but governors of Nigeria’s leading opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), stayed away, claiming to have been misled by a Presidency official to believe that it had been postponed.

The notice of the meeting had been sent out the previous night by President Jonathan through his spokesman, Reuben Abati, who said in a statement: “The meeting which will be presided over by President Jonathan is scheduled for 1100 hours.

“Those expected at the meeting include Vice President Namadi Sambo, the Minister of Defence, Lt.-Gen Aliyu Gusau, the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the State Security Services and the Director-General of National Intelligence Agency.

“The meeting of the National Security Council will be followed at 1300 Hours by an enlarged meeting on security developments in the country to which President Jonathan has invited State Governors.

“President Jonathan, members of the National Security Council and the state governors will review the security situation in the country as well as ongoing national security measures and operations with a view to determining the best way forward.

“President Jonathan reassures all Nigerians and persons living in the country that the Federal Government remains very mindful of its responsibility for the safety of their lives and properties in all parts of Nigeria and will continue to do everything possible to protect them from the scourge of terrorism and insecurity.

“The President is particularly concerned about the plight of the young Senior Secondary School girls who were reportedly abducted from their school in Borno State on Monday night and has ordered the military and national security agencies to deploy maximum efforts towards rescuing all of the girls and returning them safely to their parents. He welcomes reports that the military and security agencies have already rescued some of the girls.

“President Jonathan deeply regrets the pain, sorrow and anguish brought upon many Nigerian families in recent days as a consequence of recurring security challenges which the nation is contending with.

“The President remains convinced that with the patriotic commitment and support of all Nigerians, the country will ultimately overcome its present challenges and move forward in unity and strength.

“In this regard, President Jonathan will be pleased to see all politicians in the country exhibiting greater responsibility and patriotism by doing more to support his administration’s sincere efforts to enhance national security rather than trying to build political capital out of the pain and misery of their compatriots.”

•Photo shows President Jonathan at the scene of last Monday's Nyanya blast on the outskirts of Abuja, which necessitated the summoning of the security meeting.

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