President Muhammadu Buhari has made it clear to the governors of the 36 states of the federation that the economy of the country is in a bad shape.

The President met with the Governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja for about 30 minutes today.

Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Abdulaziz Yari who briefed State House reporters at the end of the meeting, said the President told them to tighten their belts.

The Governors met the President after an extended session of the National Economic Council (NEC) presided over by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

Yari had told journalists that they thanked the President for releasing the Paris club funds to them without any discrimination.

Asked what was the President’s response, he said: ” The President responded by thanking and telling us that the economy is in bad shape and that we have to come together and think on the way forward,” he said

In attendance at the NEC were David Umayi (Ebonyi),Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (Kano), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Nasiru El-Rufai (Kaduna) and Yahaya Bello (Kogi).

Some Deputy Governors were also in attendance including the Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Mannir Yakubu