Shettima calls for unity, reconciliation between Gov. Alia and Sen Akume at son’s wedding

By Johnson Arua

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has called for unity, tolerance and political reconciliation in Benue State, urging the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume and Governor Hyacinth Alia to put aside their differences in the overall interest of the people.

Shettima made the appeal on Sunday while speaking at the wedding reception of the son of the SGF held in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

Departing from his prepared remarks, the Vice President said he chose to speak “from the heart,” as he reflected on Benue State’s history of hospitality, inclusiveness and political maturity.

“I have a prepared speech, but I would rather speak from the heart,” Shettima said. “Some 60 years ago, a man from Borno was chased out of his homeland. Where did he seek refuge? He sought refuge in Benue.”

He recalled the story of Ibrahim Imam, a Borno indigene who found sanctuary in Benue and went on to represent a constituency in the Northern States House of Assembly between 1961 and 1965, describing it as proof of the state’s generous spirit.

“That shows how large the heart of Benue is. 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,” he added.

Shettima also highlighted the spread and political significance of the Tiv ethnic group, noting that it is the largest non-Muslim ethnic group in Northern Nigeria, with presence across several states including Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, Kogi, the FCT, and even parts of Borno State.

Reflecting on the 2023 general elections, the Vice President described the polls as the most divisive in Nigeria’s recent history but commended Benue people for rising above ethnic and religious sentiments.

“The 2023 election was the most divisive election ever held in the contemporary annals of Nigerian history. But Benue, the Tiv nation, decided to vote for the Nigerian candidate and not the religious candidate, not the Northern candidate,” he said.

He praised Benue leaders for demonstrating inclusive leadership, saying the tone of governance in the state reflects accommodation and large-heartedness.

“The leader of Benue is not just a leader of the state; he is a leader of the North Central and a leader in Nigeria. The tone of his speech shows leadership, accommodation and large-heartedness. Benue is too important for us to toy with,” Shettima stated.

Quoting American civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr., the Vice President warned against deepening divisions within the state’s political leadership. “Like Martin Luther King says, we either learn to live together with others or perish together,” he said.

Shettima specifically called for reconciliation between Senator George Akume and Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, stressing that unresolved disagreements between the two leaders could have grave consequences for the state and the country.

“We cannot afford to allow the discord between the elder statesman, Distinguished Senator George Akume, and the Governor of Benue State, my brother, Reverend 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 the Vice President, a breakdown in the relationship would ultimately hurt the people. “If this relationship goes asunder, it is the people of Benue that will suffer, the people of the North Central will suffer, and the people of Nigeria will suffer,” he warned.

Shettima went on to extol the long public service career of Senator Akume, describing him as one of the most experienced public servants in Nigeria’s contemporary history.

“Senator Akume has paid his dues. He is the longest-serving public servant in the contemporary history of this country,” he said.

He traced Akume’s career from Director of Protocol and Permanent Secretary to Governor of Benue State for eight years, member of the National Assembly for 12 years, Senate Minority Leader for eight years, Minister, and now Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

“Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje used to hold that mantle, but now that mantle has been passed to Senator George Akume. This is why I used to call him a cat with nine lives,” Shettima remarked humorously.

Reaffirming his commitment to peace-building, the Vice President pledged to personally intervene to ensure harmony between the SGF and the Benue governor.

“We will not allow the relationship between him and the transformative governor to go asunder. I have that moral obligation as a leader of the North to repair the damaged relationship,” he said.

“He has a big heart. He is our leader, and we hold him in the highest esteem.”

The remarks drew applause from guests at the ceremony, which brought together political leaders, traditional rulers and dignitaries from across the country.