President Bola Tinubu has intervened in the ongoing political feud between the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, urging reconciliation for the sake of peace and development in the state.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Progressive Governors’ Forum–Renewed Hope Ambassadors Strategic Summit in Abuja on Tuesday, Tinubu appealed directly to Akume:
“You have seen it all. You are an elder. Please, reach out to our junior brother. Let’s build Benue together. Benue deserves peace. Benue deserves development.”
The President emphasized unity over division, quoting Martin Luther King Jr.:
“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools. And we are not a nation of fools.”
The dispute between Akume and Alia began after Alia assumed office in May 2023, reportedly over appointments and control of party structures. It escalated further when both factions of the Benue APC held parallel ward congresses on February 18, 2026, deepening divisions within the party.
Akume, regarded as Alia’s political godfather, became estranged from the governor after Alia appointed Prof Joseph Alkali as Secretary to the State Government instead of Akume’s preferred candidate. Tensions grew when House of Assembly leadership appointments also ignored Akume’s recommendations.
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At the summit, Tinubu announced that Nigeria had attracted five of seven major investment decisions made in Africa last year. He revealed that the naira was close to hitting ₦1,000 to $1 before the Central Bank intervened to stabilize the market.
“Elections are not conducted on social media platforms. Elections are conducted by Nigerians who will vote in their wards,” he added, urging grassroots mobilisation.
APC National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma stressed that poor communication, rather than policy failure, was fueling public discontent. Uzodimma outlined economic gains under Tinubu’s administration, including:
Foreign reserves rising from $32bn to $49bn.
Inflation dropping from 22.4% to 15.15%.
Food inflation falling from nearly 40% to 10.84%.
Crude oil production increasing to 1.5 million barrels per day.
The operational launch of the Dangote Refinery.
Uzodimma admitted:
“Cynicism remains because the communication of reform outcomes has not matched the pace of the reforms themselves.”
