President Bola Tinubu has formally intervened to mediate the escalating political rift between the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and the Governor of Benue State, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia. The intervention, announced on Sunday, December 29, 2025, signals the federal government’s concern over a feud that threatens the stability of a key North Central state and the cohesion of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The president’s message was delivered by his vice, Senator Kashim Shettima, at the wedding reception of Deborah and Samuel Akume, the SGF’s son, in Makurdi. This choice of venue—a personal family event—underscores the delicate, behind-the-scenes nature of high-stakes political reconciliation in Nigeria.
The Core of the Conflict: A Clash of Political Titans
While the public statements emphasized unity, the feud is widely understood to stem from a struggle for control of Benue’s political machinery and resources. Senator Akume, a former two-term governor and the undisputed political “godfather” of the state, is believed to have been instrumental in Alia’s electoral victory. However, tensions reportedly arose over appointments, patronage, and governance direction, a classic “godfather-godson” fallout seen in many Nigerian states. Tinubu’s reference to Akume’s history of “installing” and “dethroning” governors was a stark, public acknowledgment of this powerful dynamic.
Tinubu’s Stakes: Why Benue Matters to the Presidency
President Tinubu framed his intervention as a “moral obligation,” but the political calculus is clear. He stated, “What affects Benue would affect the entire North Central and Nigeria.” Benue is a critical swing state in the geopolitically significant North Central zone. Allowing a public war between the state’s governor and the region’s most senior federal appointee (the SGF) could:
- Undermine Party Unity: Fracture the APC’s structure in the state ahead of future elections.
- Hinder Governance: Stymie federal projects and security cooperation in a state grappling with farmer-herder conflicts.
- Set a Dangerous Precedent: Encourage similar intra-party rebellions elsewhere, weakening the president’s authority.
Tinubu also pointedly thanked Benue voters for choosing “the Nigerian candidate” in 2023—a reminder of the state’s strategic support that he now seeks to preserve.
Akume’s Unparalleled Political Pedigree
The president’s speech served as a powerful reinforcement of Akume’s political stature. By detailing his resume—from Director of Protocol to Permanent Secretary, two-term Governor, three-term Senator (and Minority Leader), Minister, and now SGF—Tinubu was not just praising an ally. He was publicly delineating the hierarchy and reminding all players of Akume’s extensive network and experience, which spans decades and all arms of government. The “cat with nine lives” metaphor acknowledged his survivalist political agility.
A Public Display of Forced Amity
The event itself became a stage for reconciliation. Both Akume and Governor Alia were present and exchanged pleasantries in their remarks. Akume thanked Alia for attending, while Alia congratulated the couple. This public performance, under the watchful eye of the Vice President, is a first step in de-escalation. However, the true test will be in subsequent actions: shared political endorsements, collaborative project launches, and the cessation of proxy attacks in the media.
Broader Implications and Attendees
The high-profile attendance list, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reveals the feud’s significance. The presence of serving and past ministers, senators, agency heads, immediate past governor Samuel Ortom, and traditional rulers indicates that Nigeria’s political class was watching closely. Tinubu’s intervention is a message to them all: internal party disputes must not be allowed to boil over into public crises that destabilize his administration.
In conclusion, President Tinubu’s wading into the Akume-Alia feud is more than a ceremonial plea for peace. It is a strategic move to stabilize a vital region, assert his role as the ultimate party arbiter, and protect the political capital of a formidable ally. The wedding in Makurdi was merely the venue; the real ceremony was the reaffirmation of political order. The success of this intervention will be measured not by the cordiality of a single day, but by the sustained political harmony and governance effectiveness in Benue State in the months to come.
Source: NAN News. Edited for context and analysis.
