Gen Danjuma, Northern Christian Leaders Endorse President Tinubu’s Efforts on Security, Development
Gen Danjuma, Northern Christian Leaders Endorse President Tinubu’s Efforts on Security, Development
Prominent Northern Christian and Middle Belt leaders, including former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (rtd), have expressed solidarity with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, acknowledging its efforts to address insecurity, promote regional development and strengthen peaceful coexistence across Nigeria.
The leaders conveyed their position during a high-level meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where discussions focused on security challenges, reconciliation among communities, development priorities and political engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The delegation included serving governors, former military chiefs, political leaders and other prominent personalities from the Middle Belt, reflecting efforts to strengthen dialogue between the Federal Government and stakeholders from the region.
Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting on Thursday, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, said the visit was intended to reaffirm the delegation’s solidarity with the President and explore ways of addressing challenges confronting communities across the region.
Dogara explained that the engagement also provided an opportunity to discuss political mobilisation in support of the Tinubu administration, particularly in recognition of what he described as the President’s contributions to the Middle Belt.
“We are here to show solidarity to Mr President and, in the spirit of the season, which is all about politicking, to discuss matters that affect our community and how we can best help in mobilising support for the President, who has done so much for our community,” he said.
The former Speaker acknowledged that insecurity remained a concern in some parts of the region but maintained that the government’s interventions had contributed to improvements in the security environment.
Recalling the period when violent attacks and threats along the Abuja–Kaduna corridor disrupted travel and economic activities, Dogara said the situation had improved compared with previous years.
“Of course, there are pockets of crisis in some places. We are short of declaring victory, but there has been remarkable improvement in these issues,” he stated.
He attributed some of the progress to the administration’s security interventions and strategic appointments involving individuals from the region, expressing optimism that sustained government attention would further strengthen stability.
Dogara emphasised that the delegation’s engagement with the President was also informed by the need to sustain cooperation between political leaders, security institutions and local communities in addressing longstanding security and development challenges.
Also speaking, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang highlighted ongoing reconciliation efforts involving political, traditional, religious and community leaders aimed at rebuilding trust among communities affected by ethnic and religious tensions.
Mutfwang said initiatives promoting dialogue and mutual understanding were gradually creating opportunities for improved relations among groups that had experienced prolonged disagreements and violence.
“We are making tremendous progress trying to make sure that leaders come together at various levels to rebuild the broken walls of trust, to rebuild understanding,” he said.
The governor identified the growing participation of young people in community peacebuilding as an encouraging development, noting that youth leaders were increasingly taking responsibility for promoting dialogue across religious and ethnic divides.
“Even among the youths, we are seeing a new vista in that direction where youth leaders across the divides of faith and ethnicity are beginning to have conversations without even government support,” he added.
Mutfwang maintained that sustainable peace required more than security operations, stressing the importance of rebuilding relationships, encouraging inclusive dialogue and addressing grievances capable of triggering renewed hostilities.
He expressed confidence that sustained collaboration among government institutions, traditional authorities, religious organisations and community stakeholders would help consolidate reconciliation efforts and support development across the region.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of political engagement between the Federal Government and Middle Belt stakeholders as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While the delegation expressed support for the administration’s efforts, the discussions acknowledged that insecurity remained unresolved in some communities and that further interventions would be necessary to achieve lasting stability.
Among those present were the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa; Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang; Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas; former Speaker Yakubu Dogara; former Defence Minister General Theophilus Danjuma; former Chief of Army Staff General Ishaya Bamaiyi; businessman Thomas Etuh; and Dr Poju Bitrus.
The engagement formed part of continuing consultations between the Presidency and regional stakeholders on security, political cooperation and development, with particular emphasis on strengthening national unity and peaceful coexistence.
By TimesNG