Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured that President Bola Tinubu’s administration will maintain and strengthen the good relationship between Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume. Shettima made this commitment on Sunday in Makurdi during the wedding reception of Akume’s son.
Shettima emphasized his moral obligation as a leader of the North to foster unity and heal any divisions between the two prominent figures. “We have that moral obligation to step in and heal the wounds. What binds us together supersedes whatever that divides us. If this relationship goes asunder, it is the people of Benue that will suffer. It is the people of the North Central that will suffer, it is the people of Nigeria that will suffer,” he said.
He praised Senator Akume as one of the longest-serving public servants in Nigeria’s contemporary history, second only to former APC Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje.
The Vice President also commended Governor Alia for his transformative leadership in Benue, expressing pride and gratitude for his efforts. “Your Excellency, we are mighty proud of you, we are grateful to you for your leadership, we adored you for your transformative agenda,” Shettima said.
In response, SGF George Akume paid tribute to President Tinubu’s purposeful leadership since assuming office in May 2023. “The leadership of the country is doing very well because I’m in a position to know the functioning of government, the mechanics of government and what government is since 1999,” Akume remarked.
Governor Alia also praised President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for their sustained efforts to reposition Nigeria for the benefit of all citizens. He congratulated the young couple and assured them of his continued support and guidance, expressing hope that they would contribute positively to the growth and development of Benue State.
“We wish you well now and always. We pray that you go with God and may he be ahead of you to bless, behind you to protect you, and above you to continually shower his love and blessings upon you,” Governor Alia said.
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