Details have emerged following the meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and prominent Middle Belt leaders at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday.

The leaders, who visited the President at the State House, reaffirmed their support for his administration and discussed issues affecting the Middle Belt region, particularly insecurity, national development, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

Among those present at the meeting were the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa; Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang; former Chief of Army Staff, General Theophilus Danjuma; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; former Chief of Army Staff, General Ishaya Bamaiyi; and Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas.

Others included businessman Thomas Etuh and Dr Poju Bitrus.

During the meeting, the Middle Belt leaders expressed support for Tinubu’s administration, particularly its efforts to address insecurity and promote development across the country.

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, acknowledged improvements in the security situation, while emphasising the need for sustained efforts to tackle the challenges facing communities in the region.

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang also highlighted efforts to rebuild trust among communities and strengthen peaceful coexistence between people of different religious and ethnic backgrounds.

The meeting comes amid persistent security concerns in parts of the Middle Belt, particularly Plateau, Benue and other states that have witnessed recurring attacks, communal violence and displacement of residents.

The leaders’ visit also comes at a politically significant time, with political parties and their supporters beginning to intensify activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The meeting is also taking place against the backdrop of President Tinubu’s planned visits to Akwa Ibom and Rivers States, where he is expected to commission projects and participate in political rallies.

As earlier reported by POLITICS NIGERIA, the Presidency announced that Tinubu would depart Abuja on Friday, November 6, for a two-state visit, beginning with Akwa Ibom before proceeding to Rivers State on Saturday.

According to a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Tinubu will arrive in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, to commission several projects completed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration.

The projects include the new International Terminal Building, International Airport Hospital and Ibom Aviation Village, all located at the Victor Attah International Airport.

Others are the Airport-Okopedi Road, which connects communities in Nsit Atai and Okobo Local Government Areas, and Ring Road 3, linking Idoro Road to Ikot Ekpene Road through Uyo and Ibiono Ibom.

The President is also expected to commission the AKWA-GIS Office Complex, the Command and Control Centre and the ARISE Palm Resort before attending a political rally in the state.

Governor Eno has declared Friday a work-free day to enable residents and workers to participate in activities marking the President’s visit.

Tinubu is expected to proceed to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday to participate in an All Progressives Congress (APC) political rally.

The rally will be his third since he officially flagged off his re-election campaign in Kaduna State last month.

The planned visits come barely two days after the President returned to Abuja from Saudi Arabia, where he performed the lesser Hajj, known as Umrah.

Tinubu arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 8:53 p.m. on Wednesday and was received by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Defence, the Inspector-General of Police and other government officials.

During his stay in Saudi Arabia, the President was granted access to the Holy Kaaba in Makkah, where he offered prayers for Nigeria and its citizens.