By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
A group known as Benue State Political Stakeholders has lashed out at several groups castigating the personality of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF Sen. George Akume.
It should be noted in the last few weeks, several groups have held press conferences in the state alleging undue influence and pressure of the SGF on Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administrstion.
Briefing newsmen in Makurdi on Tuesday, Leader of the group Shinataver Atim-Atedze observed that these boys are of no single political relevance, adding that they are wholesomely baseless, completely inconsequential and even bereft of political nuisance.
Atim said all they decided to do was hurriedly put themselves together to act a script, positing that by mere looking at their appearances and comportment, one will be left with no doubt they are no close to decency and highly irresponsible.
“We decry their very shameful outings as being highly provocative, disheartening and condemnable. As major stakeholders in this state, we feel so insulted that such awkward and untoward onslaught aimed at vilifying and disparaging our very illustrious son, Sen. Dr. George Akume who is sufficiently educated, highly politically exposed and internationally connected, who in all his life has been disposed to serving humanity and rendering productive service that has brought notable results across board in Benue state and Nigeria at large would today, be unduly castigated, viciously maligned and unjustifiably blackmailed by very little boys who are yet to understand the dynamics of politics and leadership.
“By what we could decipher from the diabolical outings of those little boys, their primary premeditated target is to pitch the President, Bola Ahmad Tinubu against our illustrious son, Sen. George Akume and say that he is contesting for president. Their plot is at best naïve”, he said
While cautioning these boys to forthwith desist from coming to misrepresent the SGF as well refrain from their determination to drag his hard-earned reputation in the mud and public ridicule, they also cautioned the sponsors of these boys in this despicable expedition to redirect their energies and resources to more productive ventures and desist forthwith from fanning the embers of discord and disunity in the state.
The group further implore all traditional institutions in the state as well, the government of Benue State, spiritual leaders, all notable stakeholders across party lines to stand up against this totally unacceptable and unwarranted onslaught against Dr. George Akume.
“We caution these immature persons over some recent unwarranted, unjustifiable and highly condemnable declarations to heat the Benue polity by acting a script handed them. They have held press conferences at different intervals which according to them, were to address political developments in the State.
“However, rather than identify prevailing social and security challenges and economic concerns in the state and Nigeria at large, as well proffer solutions in their own estimations, we were stunned and taken aback that their entire outings were rather all just centred and targeted at one of our very illustrious sons, Sen. Dr. George Akume who by the special grace of God is today, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation of Nigeria.We wouldn’t be dignifying these immature persons asserting that their infamous outings resulting to public opprobrium were out of envy or jealousy because, rationally how can you possibly be jealous of someone who is far well beyond your reach in all facets of life? In fact, if not for compelling reasons we, all seated here, equally have no reason to respond to their youthful exuberance as we are rather dignifying them and may be according them some form of relevance.
“For avoidance of doubt, our son, George Akume has had a very robust and deep relationship with president Bola Tinubu that has spanned decades. Both have shared common concerns and agitations over the wellbeing of the good citizens of this nation. When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed the mantle of leadership of Nigeria, he personally saw in our son the capability to serve in his government in the capacity of SGF. And since his appointment as can be attested to by all, Senator Akume has left no one in doubt of his burning dedication and commitment to the fulfillment of president Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda for Nigeria. We wish to encourage our boys from Benue State to understand clearly that Sen. George Akume’s appointment as SGF was never and can never be about Benue State but the entire federation of Nigeria. It is curious therefore to see our boys attempting to reduce the hallowed office of the SGF to Benue content. This is ridiculous but further goes to explain how completely naïve, pedestrian and low informed those boys are.
“For all those who understand the life and style of our son, Sen. George Akume, they can attest that he has always remained a dependable ally, a faithful and loyal servant to both his people and leaders. He has been a true team player and consistent with his noble virtues of sincerity and accountability both in his private and public life.
“It is our firm resolve that, we, stakeholders in this polity hold Sen. Akume in very high esteem and would no longer tolerate such rascality in our state. We crave for a very cordial and peaceful coexistence across the political divide in Benue state. Party politics is over. The time now is for governance. We stand firmly behind all supporting hands and complimenting spirits aimed at giving our son, Dr. George Akume an unwavering and unflinching support to carry out his national assignments meritoriously devoid of any orchestrated frustration or distractions in whatever form.We felicitate with our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finding our illustrious son worthy of this lofty appointment”, the group stated.
