Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Saturday separately held closed-door meetings with ex-Nigerian leaders, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Ibrahim Babangida at their uphill residences in Minna, Niger State.

It was learnt that their meetings centred on the unity of the country.

Mr Lawan arrived in Minna at about 1:30 p.m. and first visited the residence of Mr Abubakar before he went to that of Mr Babangida.

His meeting with Mr Abubakar took about 40 minutes, while that with Mr Babangida took about 30 minutes.

Speaking to Journalists after he met with Mr Abubakar, the senate president said the two leaders have a lot of roles to play in ensuring the unity and peaceful co-existence of Nigerians.

Mr Lawan, accompanied by the senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, Sani Musa, said he was in Minna on a sympathy visit to the former head of state who was recuperating from an illness.

“As an elder statesman, it is necessary that the visit is made, especially with the contributions Abdulsalami has made to the country.

“We are grateful to God for the lives of our fathers, and we pray that they recover completely.

“This is to enable them to continue with their good work of ensuring that Nigeria remains united and Nigerians live peacefully amongst themselves,” he said.

Mr Lawan, however, declined questions fielded on politics and the 2023 elections as he insisted that he was only in the state for a private visit and not a political visit.

(NAN)