Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia met with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume on Wednesday at Akume’s private residence in Abuja, signaling a possible step toward reconciliation between the two leaders.
Since Governor Alia took office on May 29, 2023, the two Benue leaders have been at odds, primarily over control of the state chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and personal grievances, despite public denials of any rift.
The rivalry between the two leaders has recently escalated into political attacks, protests demanding Akume’s removal as SGF, and criticism of Governor Alia’s handling of insecurity in Benue state.
Governor Alia is perceived as unwilling to compromise politically and intent on asserting his authority independently of SGF Akume.
NewsQuest gathered that the Abuja meeting follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive during his visit to Benue after over 200 people were killed by suspected armed herdsmen in the Yelewata community.
President Tinubu during the visit, instructed Governor Alia to form an inclusive peace committee involving former governors, traditional rulers, elders, federal officials, non-indigenes, youths, and women.
“Today’s meeting is a prelude to the reconciliatory move, and a response to President Tinubu’s directive to the Governor to constitute a committee of stakeholders that will meet with the President at the Presidential Villa, any moment from now,” a source privy to the Abuja meeting told NewsQuest.
The source said Governor Alia’s visit to SGF Akume was to consult on organizing a stakeholders’ meeting ahead of formally constituting this committee, responding to the President’s call for peace efforts.
He stated that Governor Alia arrived at SGF Akume’s Maitama residence around 8:30 a.m. and proceeded directly to the closed-door meeting, which lasted only a few hours.
Previous reconciliation attempts, including one facilitated by the Tiv Traditional Council (TACT), had failed due to internal resistance and political tensions among supporters of the two leaders.
TACT had been worried that the seeming rift was generating bad blood among Tiv politicians, and frustrating the needed unity in the state.
The Tiv Council in a communique signed by Shinyi Tyozua, its Secretary in April 2024 said “The meeting was convened out of concern by the Council over manifestations of bad blood and acrimony among some top politicians in Tiv of which His Excellency Rev. Fr. Dr.Hyacinth lormem Alia, the Executive Governor of Benue State and His Excellency Senator Dr. George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) were the arrowheads.
“Being an initial meeting, only these arrowheads were invited and they attended, each with one companion.”
Our correspondent learned that as early as April this year, during the Easter period, there was another plan on the side of Governor Alia’s team, for reconciliation with SGF Akume, but some close aides of the Benue Governor frustrated the arrangement.
A prominent politician in Benue who pleaded not to be quoted in print said that President Tinubu’s directive to address the insecurity in the State offers a significant opportunity for reconciliation between Governor Alia and SGF Akume.
“This is an excellent opportunity for these two personalities. They need to settle their differences, sheathe their swords, and work together in the interest of peace, harmony, and progress of the Tiv nation, Benue state, and Nigeria as a whole. The Abuja meeting signals an end to this long rift,” he said.
