Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, to set aside their differences and embrace peace.
Shettima warned that a sustained rift between the two leaders could have grave consequences for Benue State, the North-Central zone and the country at large.
Naijaonpoint reports that Shettima made the appeal on Sunday in Makurdi while addressing guests at the wedding reception of Akume’s son, stressing that Benue occupies a strategic position in Nigeria’s unity and development.
The Vice President described Benue as more than the nation’s food basket, noting its influence in shaping national cohesion.
“Benue is not only the heartbeat of the nation; it goes beyond being the food basket. Benue is a trendsetter, and Benue has a large heart,” Shettima said.
He also praised the Tiv people, whom he described as the largest non-Muslim ethnic group in Northern Nigeria, with significant populations spread across Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, Kogi, the Federal Capital Territory and parts of Borno State.
Reflecting on the 2023 general elections, Shettima said the polls were among the most polarising in the country’s recent history but commended Benue voters for placing national interest above ethnic and religious sentiments.
“The Tiv nation decided to vote for the Nigerian candidate, not the religious candidate, not the Northern candidate,” he said, describing the decision as a mark of political maturity and patriotism.
The Vice President lauded Akume’s leadership style, describing him as a unifying force not just in Benue but across the North-Central and the entire country.
“The people call him the leader of Benue. He is a leader of the North-Central and a leader in Nigeria,” Shettima stated.
He cautioned against political disunity, quoting American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., saying, “We either learn to live together with others or perish together.”
Shettima warned that the disagreement between Akume and Governor Alia must not be allowed to escalate, stressing that the people would ultimately bear the consequences.
“We cannot afford to allow the discord between the elder statesman, Distinguished Senator George Akume, and the Governor of Benue State, my brother, Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia, to fester,” he said.
“We have a moral obligation to step in and heal wounds. What binds us together supersedes whatever divides us.”
According to him, a breakdown in the relationship would be disastrous.
“If this relationship goes asunder, it is the people of Benue that will suffer, the people of the North-Central that will suffer, and the people of Nigeria that will suffer,” he warned.
Describing Akume as one of Nigeria’s most experienced public officials, Shettima highlighted his long career in public service.
“He has paid his dues. He is the longest-serving public servant in the contemporary history of this country,” he said.
He listed Akume’s past roles, including Director of Protocol, Permanent Secretary, two-term governor of Benue State, senator for 12 years, Senate Minority Leader for eight years, minister and now Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
“This is why I used to call him a cat with nine lives,” the Vice President said humorously, while acknowledging Akume’s enduring relevance in Nigerian politics.
Despite past political differences between the two leaders, Shettima insisted that unity must prevail, assuring that he would personally intervene to restore harmony.
“We will not allow the relationship between him and the transformative governor to go asunder,” he said.
“I have that moral obligation as a leader of the North to work on that relationship, to repair the damaged relationship, because he has a big heart. He is our leader, and we hold him in the highest esteem.”