President Bola Tinubu has promised to intervene in the political disagreement between the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume and the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia.
The president made the pledge on Sunday in Makurdi during the wedding reception of Deborah and Samuel Akume, son of the SGF.
He was represented at the event by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Speaking at the reception, President Tinubu said Mr Akume had paid his dues in public service and there was no reason for discord between him and the governor.
He described the SGF as the longest serving public servant in Nigeria’s contemporary history.
The president said he had a moral obligation to step in because issues affecting Benue would have wider implications for the North Central and the country.
“Benue is too important for us to toy with. We can not afford to allow the discord between the elder statesman, Senator Akume, and Governor Alia to escalate.
“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.
“Sen Akume has paid his dues. He is the longest-serving public servant in the contemporary history of this country.
“He was director of protocol, permanent secretary, two-time governor, three-time senator and minority leader of the Senate, minister and now SGF.
“This is why I used to call him a cat with nine lives. He installs a governor and dethrones and puts another. He fell out with that one; he dethroned him and installed another one,” he said.
Tinubu said he would not allow the relationship between Akume and Governor Alia to break down and added that he was committed to fixing the situation.
He also commended Benue voters for supporting him in the 2023 presidential election.
“The 2023 election was the most divisive election ever in the history of our country. But Benue decided to go with the Nigerian candidate, not a religious or Northern candidate,” he said.
Earlier, George Akume thanked the president for honouring his family during the celebration and commended Governor Alia for attending the wedding despite his schedule.
He assured the couple of his support and prayers.
Governor Alia congratulated the couple and said they had brought honour to their families, the state and the nation.
Jack Gyado, in his remarks, described Akume as a man blessed with a good heart and leadership qualities.
The chairman of the occasion, Pius Akutah, executive secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, congratulated the couple and offered prayers for them.
The event was attended by serving and former ministers, senators, heads of government agencies, traditional rulers and former Benue governor Samuel Ortom attended the event.
