The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has thrown its weight behind a prospective second term bid of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
The APC also passed a vote of confidence on the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume over his performance as the nation’s scribe so far.
The party thanked Akume for his leadership qualities which it noted has formed a bond for the north central states of the party assuring that its outing in the last general election will be repeated in 2027 when president Bola Tinubu will be seeking re-election.
Although Tinubu has yet to declare a re-election bid, Akume recently told Northern politicians to perish the thought of contesting the 2027 presidential election against the incumbent.
The SGF argued that the presidency will remain in the South for the next four years in keeping with the power rotation between the North and South.
Akume’s declaration was opposed by former Vice President and PDP presidential candidate in 2023, Atiku Abubakar, who noted that Nigerians will decide who emerges president in 2027.
However, speaking at a political event in Makurdi yesterday, a second republic politician Senator Jack Gyado condemned calls in some quarters for Akume’s removal as SGF saying the latter’s performances are satisfactory.
“Akume is a square peg in a square hole. We are satisfied with his performance as the Secretary to Government of the Federation. As the leader of the APC in north central as a whole, we are re- affirming our support to him politically and.otherwise” he said.
He assured that the unity in the party especially in north central is an indication that the zone and Benue in particular will still deliver president Tinubu come.2027
Gyado further condemned factionalization of APC in the state saying the party remains indivisible under Akume and the state chairman, Austin Agada as manifest in the unity amongst federal appointees, both serving and former members of the national and state assembly
According to the elder statesman, the unity in the APC is driving politicians from the PDP and other parties to join the APC
Besides, a 2027 governorship hopeful of the APC in Benue state Godwin Ityoachimin also corroborated the party’s position saying calls for Akume’s removal are an unnecessary distraction as he remains the leader of the party in the north central and beyond.
He underscored the need for more support for the SGF to succeed in his national assignment assuring that the party remains resolute to repeat the feat of 2023 in 2027.
He commended president Tinubu for showing an exemplary leadership style administratively and politically, emphasizing that the state’s continued support for the president cannot be compromised for any reason.