Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has officially reconciled with George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), following a lengthy political rift.
The disagreement between the two prominent figures of the All Progressives Congress (APC) began shortly after the 2023 general elections. It was reportedly rooted in a struggle for control over the party’s structure in Benue, leading to internal divisions within the APC in the state.
Efforts to mend the strained relationship intensified after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to Benue State.
The president had visited the state in the aftermath of a deadly attack in Yelwata, where over 200 residents lost their lives. During the visit, Akume also met with traditional leaders, who collectively appealed for unity and peace across the state.
Confirming the reconciliation, Governor Alia disclosed via his official Facebook page on Wednesday that he visited Akume at his residence in Maitama, Abuja.
His post read, “Today, I paid a surprise visit to Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), at his Maitama residence in Abuja.
“It was a warm and insightful interaction marked by mutual respect, unity, and deep reflection on both state and national issues, as well as a shared commitment to the progress of our dear state and nation.”
The development is expected to foster greater cohesion within the Benue APC and improve coordination between the state and federal levels in addressing the region’s growing security and governance challenges.