President Bola Tinubu has stepped in to patch things up between Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia.
He made the move on Sunday at the wedding reception of Akume’s children, Deborah and Samuel, in Makurdi. Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu called for calm, warning that bad blood between the two men could drag much of the North-Central—and the rest of the country—down with it.
Praising Akume as one of Nigeria’s most durable public servants, Tinubu ticked off the posts the SGF had held: director of protocol, permanent secretary, two-term governor, three-term senator and Senate minority leader, minister, and now SGF. “I’ve always said he’s a cat with nine lives,” Tinubu added.
“Benue is too important for us to play politics with,” the President said. He told both leaders to put the state first, insisting that the feud “affects more than the two of them.” Tinubu said he felt personally obliged to intervene because any rift could hurt Benue voters and, by extension, the entire North-Central zone.
He also thanked Benue residents for backing him in the 2023 election, calling their support a sign of unity that rose above religion and region.
Akume, in his speech, thanked the President for gracing the family’s celebration and Governor Alia for making time to attend. The SGF pledged continued support for the newly-weds.
Governor Alia praised the couple for bringing honour to their families and the state. Senator Jack Gyado and Barrister Pius Akutah were among the guests who added their blessings.
Ministers, past and present, senators, agency heads, traditional rulers, and former governor Samuel Ortom also filled the hall.
