By; ARCHIBONG ESUENE, Makurdi.
Senator Dr. George Akume, former governor of Benue State and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) has said that he is not interested in elective positions any more.
The immediate past Minister of Special Duties in the administration of President Muhammad Buhari said he has no ambition to run for public office again.
“We have to encourage and give the younger ones a chance,” he submitted.
Senator Akume, former governor of Benue State, who was responding to the call by former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Ibrahim Saminu Turaki at a colloquium/symposium to mark his 70th-year birthday celebration organized by the Benue State Government, said all that is needed now is collective support for his boss, the president of Nigeria, ” President Ahmed Tinubu”.
According to the SGF, his principal by his grace and general support of Nigerians will be in 2031 “and I will be 78 and for me, no more”.
Sen. Akume despite the alleged cool differences with his state governor, called for support for the government of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia in the state and to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the federal level, saying “They need your prayers and I also need your prayers.
“I implore every one of you in the state to continue to pray for the governor. These are trying times, and I speak as one with the experience of the office of the governor. It is not an easy thing, just be praying and be patient. Remember, your hard work ensured his victory. If he fails you have also failed”, the SGF said.
Sen. Akume who recounted that of his over 25 years in politics, he has encountered considerable moments, some, very unpleasant and yet, kept going, sued for tolerance and a looking-forward in hope.
The SGF called on the Benue people and entire Nigerians to trust in the ability of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and to support the Renewed Hope programmes of his administration, noting that tomorrow would certainly be better than today.
“Today may be rough and tough, but tomorrow will be better than today. Nations are great today because of the sacrifices of their yesterdays. Indeed, tough situations do not require to be tackled with kid gloves. Instant solutions may only serve momentarily”, Akume pointed out.
Reacting to the goodwill message by the Vice Chancellor of Benue State University, Prof. Joe Tor Iorapuu, in which he noted the achievements of the SGF in the university, Sen. Akume praised the former governor of Benue State, the late Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu, for making the dream of the state university a reality and laying the foundation on which he built.
The SGF pointed out that, “we should see diversity as a blessing and manage it very well. Our president recognizes this and is using it to good effect for all to see. Diversity has ensured the greatness of America and other nations. Our diversity must be seen as an asset and not a liability”.
In their good will messages, the VIce Chancellor, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Prof Innocent Ujah and the Managing Director of Lower Benue Rural Basin Development Authority, Engr Muhammad Adra described the SGF as a man with impeccable records, who will work assiduously for the successful implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Ahmed Tinubu.
