2027: I’ll not  allow discord between SGF, Alia to linger on, Akume is a leader  in Nigeria-Tinubu

By Attah Ede, Makurdi 

President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, has stated  that the secretary to government of the federation, SGF, Senator George Akume remain one of the high respected  leaders in Nigeria  and should be accorded that honour.

He further said it is even an insult to call senator Akume leader of Benue, saying Akume is not just a leader of Benue State, but  a leader of North Central and a  revered leader in Nigeria who had paid his dues.

President Tinubu spoke through his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima during the wedding reception of the son of the SGF held in Makurdi, Benue State capital.

He expressed dismay at the persistent feud between the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume and the Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, insisting everything would be done to heal the wounds.

He said “Benue is not only the heartbeat of the nation, it goes beyond being the food basket, Benue is a political pacesetter. Benue is too important for us to toil with.

“We cannot allow the discord between the SGF, Senator George Akume and the Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia to fester.

“We have more than obligation to step in an heal the wounds. What binds us together should be greater than whatever that divides us.”

The President expressed concern that “If this relationship goes asunder, it is the people of Benue that will suffer, it’s the people of the North Central that will suffer and the people of Nigeria will suffer.” 

According to him, The SGF, Senator Akume has paid his dues, being the longest serving public servant in the contemporary history of the country. 

He noted that “Akume was a director of protocol, he was a permanent secretary for eight years, he was the governor of eight year for eight years, he was in the national Assembly for 12 years.

He was the minority leaders in the Senate, he was a minister and he is now the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF.

“This is why I call him the cat with nine lives. He installed a Governor, he dethroned him and put his own, he fell out with that one, he dethroned him and installed another one. But we will not allow the relationship between him and this transformative Governor to go asunder. 

“The leader of Benue, Akume, is also the leader of the North Central, he is a leader in Nigeria and his speech today shows leadership, accomodations and large heartedness.

“I have that moral obligation as the leader in the north to repair the damaged relationship because he (Akume) has a big heart. He is our leader that we hold in highest esteem. 

“Imagine peace in the relationship between the two political gladiators in Benue state. They need to be more strong for the development of the state and nation,” the president said.

He appreciated the Benue people for the warm reception accorded him and his team urging all Benue people to work with their leaders and support them to find lasting peace.

Earlier, the SGF, Senator George Akume paid a big tribute to the President for honouring his invitation and the Vice President for flying all the way from Maiduguri to grace the occasion saying the quality of presentation was massive. 

Akume who noted that God has been blessing him said right after his tenure as Governor, he installed his successor, installed the immediate past, Samuel Ortom and the incumbent, Governor Hyacinth Alia, all whom he described as wonderful people.

He pledged to continue praying for them and for Nigeria urging the Benue people in particular, to also continue to pray for their Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia , who he said is doing well, to enable him succeed more.

He appreciated God for the wedding of his son and wife, thanking Him for bringing them to the point of marriage saying “I wish you all the best. May God bless you. I have children. 

“You will also see your children and children’s children. Your marriage is blessed, We will do everything to support you. You are very special to me.”

He appreciated Governor Alia for blessing and praying for the couple and his colleagues for finding time to grace the occasion.

Earlier, Governor Hyacinth Alia congratulated the couple and admonished them to hold unto God at all times.

He said “What you have gone into is something doable and something once you put your mind into it, you can grow a family, a community and the entire state.”

He pledged support and prayed that God will help them to add a lot of value to the development of their family and the state.

He prayed that as they would hold unto God “Now an always, may He be before you to bless you, behind you to protect you, and I congratulate you for making your families and our communities proud.” He stressed.