The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, on Saturday, said the ruling All Progressives Congress in Benue State would not allow anyone to run away with the party’s mandate again.
Akume, represented by one of the APC elders, Simon Shango, made the assertion at the party’s stakeholders meeting at the Government House, Makurdi.
Recall that the immediate past governor of the state, Samuel Ortom, won the governorship election on the platform of the APC in 2015 and later defected to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2018.
According to SGF, the party is determined to ensure peace and unity in its ranks to ensure that nobody leaves the party.
Debunking insinuations of a rift between him and Governor Hyacinth Alia, Akume said he remained faithful as a servant and ambassador of the state at the federal level.
The former Benue state governor also warned political jobbers to avoid creating enmity among party members.
He said, “The SGF said he is your (governor’s) eyes in Abuja. He appreciates the work you have done so far. In a situation like this, there must be problems, but they are being solved.
“The party is determined to ensure unity of purpose among the members, and he (Akume) emphasised that no one will go away with our mandate anymore, and we will do our best to ensure that the marriage continues.
“There is no issue with the governor, and they have been relating well.”
Also, in his speech, Alia appreciated the party for reposing confidence in him and promised to restore all the glory of the state.
He appreciated all speakers at the meeting and assured them the party would remain united, saying, “on the unity of purpose. We must stand; we cannot stand in the difference.”
