Akume charges Benue APC on unity before presidential primary

.condemns diversion of materials during primaries

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, on Friday called for unity among members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State ahead of the party’s presidential primary scheduled for Saturday.

Akume also expressed concern over alleged diversion of electoral materials during the party’s primaries conducted earlier in the week in the state, describing the reports as disturbing and capable of undermining confidence in the party’s internal democratic process.

The SGF spoke with journalists shortly after arriving at the Makurdi Airport where he was received by a large crowd of party supporters and stakeholders.

He urged APC members in the state to place the collective interest of the party above personal ambitions, stressing that unity and reconciliation remained critical to the party’s electoral success in future elections.

According to him, disagreements arising from the conduct of the primaries should not be allowed to weaken the APC in Benue State.

“The presidential primaries are taking place tomorrow (Saturday). We are here to mobilise support for our dear president. He is doing very well,” Akume said.

“I have told him repeatedly that he has no problem in Benue State. In this country, his performance, his commitment to patriotism and inclusive nature of government all speak in his favour.

“In democracy, you must always have some opposing voices, but the truth is that his work is remarkable. His work has been approved by most Nigerians and we are very sure that come tomorrow our people are going to vote massively for Mr President.”

Speaking on the allegations surrounding the diversion of election materials during the recent APC primaries in Benie state, Akume said although he was not physically present during the exercise, he had received several reports on the matter.

“I was not here during the last election. I received so many reports about diversion of materials among other things, but I wasn’t here so I do not want to comment so much about that,” he stated.

“What I want to say is this, I want the APC to be a united family. This was how we intended it to be. Those of us who were the founding fathers of the party, we don’t want factions in our party and we are very sure that come 2027, Mr President will get back to the Villa,” he added.

The SGF appealed to aggrieved aspirants and their supporters to embrace dialogue and reconciliation in order to strengthen the party ahead of future elections.

He also urged party officials and security agencies to investigate the reported diversion of materials and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.

Akume further appealed to supporters across the state to remain peaceful and participate actively in the presidential primary.

Also speaking, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, said he accompanied Senator Akume to Benue State to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the APC presidential primary.

Utsev said Benue people remained solidly behind Tinubu, noting that the state overwhelmingly supported him in 2023 and was prepared to do even more in 2027.

He described politics as a collective responsibility that requires dialogue and compromise, urging party members to resolve grievances amicably.

“Politics is a game. We are a family. No matter the grievances, we have to sit together and move forward,” he added.

Utsev also called on Nigerians to continue supporting and praying for President Tinubu while participating actively in the APC presidential primary.

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