Akume, Alia Feud: Tinubu Wades In, To Proffer Lasting Solution

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has waded into the long standing disagreement between the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume and the Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, promising to proffer a lasting solution by resolving the political feud.

The President, Tinubu, made the promise on Sunday in Makurdi at the wedding reception of Deborah and Samuel Akume, son of the SGF, represented by Vice President, Kashim Shettima, stating that Senator Akume has paid his dues, and there was no need for a discord between him and the Governor.

He also, described the SGF as the longest-serving public servant in Nigeria’s contemporary history, pointing that he has moral obligation to intervene because what affects Benue State, affects the entire North-Central zone and Nigeria as a whole.

President Tinubu further stressed that Akume, as a leader in the North-Central and Nigeria, shows leadership, accommodation and a great deal of kindness.

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“Benue is too important for us to toy with. We cannot afford to allow the discord between the elder statesman, Senator Akume, and Governor Alia to escalate.

“What binds us together supersedes whatever divides us. If this relationship goes asunder, it is the people of Benue, North-Central and Nigeria that will suffer.

“Senator Akume has paid his dues. He is the longest-serving public servant in the contemporary history of this country. He was Director, Protocol in the State, Permanent Secretary, two-time Governor, three-time Senator of the Federal Republic and Minority Leader of the Senate, Federal Minister and now, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF.

“This is why I used to call him a cat with nine lives. He installed a Governor, dethroned him and installed another, fell out with that one; dethroned him again and installed another one,” he said.

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The President emphasised that he would not allow the relationship between Akume and the ‘transformative Governor,’ Alia, to go asunder, stating that he, as a leader, has every moral obligation, to fix the damage.

He commended the people of the State for voting massively for him in the 2023 Presidential election instead of a northern or religious candidate.

“The 2023 election was the most divisive election ever in the history of our country. But Benue decided to go with the Nigerian candidate, not a religious or northern candidate,” he said.

Earlier, in his remarks, the father of the groom, Senator Akume, thanked the President for honouring his family during their moment of celebration.

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Akume also commended Governor Alia for finding time out of his tight schedule to honour the invitation to witness the wedding of his son, assuring the couple of his continued support and prayers.

Governor Alia, in his remarks, congratulated the new couple, commending them for bringing joy and respect to their respective families, the State and the nation at large.

Also speaking, Senator Jack Tilley-Gyado, said noted that God blesses Senator Akume with good heart, great family and strong leadership qualities.

Chairman of the occasion, Barrister Pius Akutah, Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, congratulated the couple, praying that they should remain united in love, coming from respected homes.

The marriage ceremony was attended by political class from both States of the Federation and the national levels, including serving and former Ministers, Senators, Heads of Government Agencies amongst others.