Benue Chairman, APC Elders Council, Simon Shango, Defends SGF George Akume Over Allegations Of Drunkenness
The Benue State APC Elders Council, led by its chairman, dismisses recent media reports suggesting President Tinubu is considering replacing SGF Senator George Akume over performance concerns, labeling the claims as baseless and fictitious.
...Says Akume is a political institution capable of seeing to Tinubu's second term victory in 2027
The Benue State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Elders Council, has condemned reports in a section of the media that President Bola Tinubu has commenced moves to replace the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,. SGF and former governor of Benue State, Senator George Akume, "amid performance concerns."
Shango described the said report as fiction and baseless, noting that Akume had never abused or office or involved himself in any corruption matter to warrant the denigration of the so- called cabal in Benue State.
His words, "My attention has been drawn to a faceless and unsigned article on some website by name okelicious.net titled "President Tinubu moves to replace SGF George Akume amid performance concerns."
"Let me categorically say that this write up is the handwork of a cabal that has lost out completely in the political struggle in Benue state and think that their misfortunes are as a result of Sen. George Akume's rising star.
"I want to believe strongly that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who is a great political calculator and seasoned administrator, cannot just wake up and sack his longtime friend and compatriot simply because it is alleged that he drinks alcohol.
"It would have been more reasonable for this cabal to find such reasons like if Akume had embezzled money, abused his office or had done anything that was unbecoming of the high office he occupies. The writers are worried that if Akume continues to serve in office, he would like as, he did before, assist President Bola Ahmed Tinubu go back and complete his second term.
"They're enemies of this regime, who shouted against the Muslim-Muslim ticket and called Mr. President all manners of names before the great Political Calculator triumphantly emerged as the President of Nigeria.
"Sen. George Akume, CON, a ranking Knight of St. John's and who comes from Benue state, whose population is 99.9% Christian, stuck his neck out to support the Muslim-Muslim ticket while the faceless writers were shouting against it.
"Since Akume became the SGF of the Federation, this group has spent the past year and months of this administration distracting him by bombarding him on social media with unfounded provocative accusations and name calling. This same group did it against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu when he was contesting.
"The job of an SGF involves more than clerical work in the office. It needs a person who is a political institution, like Akume is, to handle it because more is required, such as interfacing with other institutions on critical issues, which Akume has been doing since he became SGF.
"Perhaps, they're under the impression that they would do what Godwin Dabo did against Akume's Uncle late Sen. J. S Tarka by telling lies against him and finally getting him removed by Gen. Gowon's Government.
"Nigeria's politics has become more complex than it was during that time.
Let these people leave Akume alone for he is our man! Signed: Chief Simon Shango, MFR."
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