From a humble beginning to stardom, the man Sen. George Akume, CON is a clear testament of “whom God has blessed, no man can curse”.
Career Civil servant, Local Government Chairman, Director, Permanent Secretary, Governor for two terms, Senator for three terms, Honourable Minister and now Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF.
Obviously, the climax is yet to come.
Sen. Akume is one politician that has lifted many who have rather fought him back.
If not all, majority of beneficiaries of Akume’s magnanimity who have fought him have disappeared from the political scene.
It is now crystal clear for the blind to see and the deaf to hear whom God Has anointed Benue’s political leader.
Sen. Akume’s tolerance for criticism is indeed, legendary.
I have constructively criticized him over the year’s without a word of concern from Sir George himself, apart from few casual expressions from some of his aides and wife, which is normal.
This is unlike some who came against me, plotting my sack. But they didn’t succeed.
Since 2007, Akume has helped Sen. Gabriel Suswam, Chief Samuel Ortom and now, Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia to become Governors.
The first two have fought him back, aiming at his political retirement.
Suswam for instance, used Hon. Terngu Tsegba, an Akume’s political offspring to replace Akume in the Senate in 2011 but he lost.
Today, not many will reckon with the name, Hon. Terngu Tsegba because he has since retired himself from the national political stage to local politics.
Then came former Governor Samuel Ortom, Akume’s Chief beneficiary right from their days in PDP.
Ortom should have known better, but for obvious reasons including sycophants around him, he was blindfolded to fight dirty a man who made him, Ortom.
In the first place, Ortom was not in the PDP. He was in the defunct APP when Akume brought him over and gave him positions that he rose to contest for 2015 governorship.
Ortom would lost PDP primaries and defect to the APC and be handed the governorship ticket by Akume.
Ortom went on the clinch victory at the polls. Rather than serve the people, he spent time plotting and boasting of his plans to retire Akume.
Meanwhile, Suswam had forced Akume out of PDP, paving the way for the introduction of the then ACN in Benue and North Central on which platform Akume returned to the Senate.
In 2019, it seemed Ortom succeeded in rigging Akume out, believing his sought after retirement of Akume was mission accomplished.
They fervently prayed Akume should not get appointment from the Buhari government but as God would have, Sir George was appointed Honourable Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.
This too, his political enemies mocked him, saying he was given a good for nothing port folio.
Akume did not contest for 2023 elections. And his opponents again, prayed he shouldn’t get the SGF position.
Again, as God would have it, yesterday Sen. Akume was announced SGF in the Tinubu led administration.
Ortom, the Grand Commander of “Operation Retire Akume” has not only retired himself after an abysmal performance as Governor, he has also sunk the PDP in Benue state.
This history is very important to be told for lessons to be learnt.
Like Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt for their good in the future unknown to them initially, so was Akume’s forced movement to ACN/APC for Ortom’s political mission which he (Ortom) could not see despite warnings.
As in the days of his uncle, JS Tarka, Akume’s political travails are masterminded by his very own.
But God has found favour with him, hence he always moves ahead after any seeming setback while his coup plotters suffer the consequences.
Akume has his shortcomings for sure, but he remains the one politician in Benue to be proud of because of his benevolence, humane nature, openness, accommodating disposition, ready to forgive spirit and easily accessible.
His house in Abuja is called “the Cathedral” and Makurdi, “Kilometre 4” apparently meaning where people converge for good.
Suswam and Ortom accused Akume of overbearing influence in their government, the reason according to them they fell out with their benefactor.
If that is true, then opportunity has come for Akume to be fully engaged at the National level for Governor Alia to work without interference from Akume.
Good enough, Akume’s wife will also be very busy in the House of Representatives.
The next expectation is who becomes minister, after which the squad on display will be formidable to take Benue to greater heights.
I have a dream that 2031 shall be Benue’s turn for Presidency. That which JS Tarka started, may be completed by his nephew, if God so desires.
All that is needed is for the SGF to make good use of his office and position.
Above all, unity and agenda to serve the people well, must prevail.
Congratulations once again, Sir George.
Tersoo Zamber writes from Abuja.
