President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged to intervene in the simmering political feud between Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator George Akume and Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, describing the dispute as a matter of national importance that must be resolved for the stability of the region and the country at large.
The president’s commitment came on Sunday, at the wedding reception of Deborah and Samuel Akume, the son of the SGF, held in Makurdi , where Tinubu was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima amid a gathering of political leaders, dignitaries and guests.
Addressing the crowd, Tinubu emphasised that years of service and political experience clearly underscored Akume’s contributions to the nation. “Senator Akume has paid his dues. He is the longest-serving public servant in the contemporary history of this country,” Tinubu said, recounting Akume’s extensive career that spans roles such as permanent secretary, governor, senator and minister, calling him “a cat with nine lives.”
The president stressed that his involvement was not merely symbolic but driven by a sense of moral duty, noting that what affects Benue affects the entire North-Central geopolitical zone and Nigeria as a whole. “Benue is too important for us to toy with. We cannot afford to allow the discord between the elder statesman, Sen. Akume, and Governor Alia to escalate,” he said. “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.”
Tinubu also recognised the deep support Benue State gave his candidacy in the 2023 presidential election, observing that the electorate chose “a Nigerian candidate, not a religious or northern candidate” — a pointed reference to broader national unity in voting patterns.
In his remarks at the event, Senator Akume thanked President Tinubu for honouring his family in a personal moment of celebration, and expressed gratitude that Governor Alia made time to attend the wedding, underscoring the importance of maintaining cordial relations.
Governor Alia, in turn, congratulated the newlyweds and lauded their union as bringing joy and respect not just to their families but to the state and the nation.
Other speakers at the ceremony, including Senator Jack Gyado and the Chairman of the event, Barrister Pius Akutah, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, offered prayers and spoke of Akume’s character, leadership qualities and contribution to public service.
The occasion was attended by a cross-section of influential figures, including former governors, current ministers, senators, heads of government agencies and traditional rulers, reflecting both the personal and political stature of the SGF and the broader significance of the reconciliation appeal.
The publicised intervention by President Tinubu signals a high-level effort to bridge differences within Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue, where tensions have previously spilled into party crises and leadership disputes between factions aligned with Akume and those backing Governor Alia.
By addressing the feud at a celebratory event that juxtaposed personal joy with political urgency, Tinubu appears to be leveraging both the moment and his office to call for unity and a reaffirmation of shared purpose in governance and party cohesiveness.
