As preparations for the 2027 general elections get more intense, Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), has expressed hope that Benue State will regain its political and economic glory.
Akume gave a speech to a group of notable All Progressives Congress (APC) members from the state’s three senatorial districts, including some lawmakers who supported Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The group, led by Emmanuel Jime, a former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), vowed allegiance to Akume’s leadership and supported President Bola Tinubu for a second term.
In a statement released by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Akume commended the stakeholders for their support and called on them to continue working together to further the state’s development.
According to the former governor of Benue State, cooperation among APC members is essential to preserving political stability and fulfilling the desires and ambitions of the populace.
Akume gave the group his word that his administration will keep working to make the state relevant again while putting the needs of Benue people first.
The party stakeholders made the appeal to back Tinubu’s administration, claiming that the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda was designed to advance sustainable development and improve Nigerians’ well-being.
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Rather than being “internally displaced politicians,” the SGF characterized the delegation’s members as seasoned and well-respected political players.
He stated that their expertise, ability, and intellectual contributions continued to be beneficial to Benue State’s political and economic development.
According to Akume, the Tinubu administration has greatly boosted funding allotted to states and local governments.
According to him, the state governments ought to be held responsible for how the extra funds for development are used.
“I am aware that the President has given the states and local governments a lot of money in an unprecedented way,” Akume stated.
The Federation Account is available to all governmental levels. Mr. President is not to blame if we are unable to grow our state.
“Benue is not an exception to the rule that he is carrying out his duties for the nation and the states.”
Instead of placing the blame for local issues on the federal government, the SGF urged state political leaders to concentrate on providing development.
Akume claimed he had no ill will toward any Benue political figure or stakeholder.
In order to secure Tinubu’s win in the 2027 presidential election, he appealed to all party members to cooperate.
The former governor recalled his administration from 1999 to 2007 and claimed that at that time, Benue attracted significant infrastructure, development, and investment projects.
He claimed that by implementing policies that enhanced living circumstances and increased possibilities for citizens, his government laid the groundwork for the state’s socioeconomic development.
A vote of confidence in Akume’s leadership and a unanimous support of Tinubu’s reelection campaign marked the conclusion of the conference.
Former state attorney general Joe Abaagu seconded the motion, which was made by former deputy speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly Dan Ali.
Jime had previously voiced his worries about what he called the decline of democratic principles in Benue State.
He claimed that the state has been reduced to the domain of traditional democratic ideals and urged political stakeholders to work together more to reposition the state.
