Vice President Kashim Shettima has again made a public plea for reconciliation between two leading figures in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), urging them to “mend fences” and unite for their state’s development and the nation.
Similarly last year December, Vice President Shettima in Malurdi, the Benue State capital warned that prolonged discord between the two leaders could have grave consequences for the State, the North-Central region, and the nation at large.
Listing SGF Akume’s illustrious credentials, Vice President Shettima noted that the SGF had served as Director of Protocol, Permanent Secretary, two-term Governor of Benue State, Senator for 12 years, Minority Leader of the Senate for eight years, Minister, and now Secretary to the Government of the Federation- the longest serving public servant.
Governor Alia and Akume share a longstanding political feud rooted in power struggles within the APC in Benue.
Speaking at the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF)-Renewed Hope Ambassadors Strategic Summit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Vice President Shettima—representing President Tinubu—praised the administration’s economic reforms while delivering an impassioned appeal for peace in Benue.
“Apart from Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the longest serving public servant in the current dispensation.”
“You have seen it all. You are an elder statesman, reach out to our junior brother,” Shettima implored.
“Let’s build Benue together. Benue deserves peace. Benue deserves development,” the Vice President noted.
Vice President Shettima invoking Martin Luther King Jr: “We either learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools. And we are not a nation of fools.”
“This moment calls for us to reflect on the reforms we have pursued,” Shettima said, highlighting successes such as moderating inflation, stabilising the naira—now nearing 1,000 to the dollar, held back only by Central Bank interventions—and attracting five of Africa’s seven major investment decisions last year.
The Vice President touted the 2026 budget of 58.18 trillion naira as a pivot “from stabilisation to acceleration”, with record capital spending on security and landmark tax reforms to protect the vulnerable and curb waste.
The Vice President also charged the Renewed Hope Ambassadors—led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma—with spreading the gospel of reforms to “every ward, every community”, countering misinformation and channeling grassroots feedback.
“Elections are not conducted on Facebook,” he quipped. “They are conducted by Nigerians who report in their own language.”
The summit signals Tinubu’s push to consolidate support amid economic headwinds, with Shettima insisting: “Nigeria is greater than all of us.”
