APC Primaries: Akume Urges Unity in Benue, Warns Against Factions

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has appealed for cohesion within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, following a series of primary elections that have reportedly left some members disgruntled.

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What I want to say is this: I want the APC to be a united family. This was how we intended it to be. Those of us who were founding fathers of the party, we don’t want factions in our party.

Speaking at Makurdi Airport, Akume acknowledged the existence of grievances stemming from the state, National Assembly, and governorship primaries, which were allegedly marred by irregularities. He assured that while he is aware of these issues, appropriate actions would be taken in due course. Akume, a founding father of the APC, reiterated his dedication to fostering unity and adhering to the party's foundational principles of fairness, emphasizing his opposition to internal factions.

Akume's visit to Benue was primarily to galvanize support for the upcoming presidential primary, underscoring Benue's unwavering backing for President Bola Tinubu. He urged party faithful to participate actively in the presidential primary, expressing optimism that the election would be conducted without the material diversions that have plagued previous exercises. His long experience in politics, dating back to 1998, lends weight to his pronouncements on electoral integrity and the resilience of the Benue electorate.

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I just want to appeal to our supporters in Benue State to remain calm and to come out en masse to vote for the primaries for our presidential candidates.

From the perspective of a Nigerian publication like The Punch, Akume's call for unity is crucial. It highlights the internal challenges the APC faces in Benue, particularly after Governor Hyacinth Alia's camp reportedly dominated recent primary elections. His assurance that consequences will follow suggests a potential internal reckoning, while his emphasis on fairness and unity aims to preempt further division. The SGF's confidence in President Tinubu's re-election and his appeal for a smooth presidential primary demonstrate the national party's focus on consolidating support ahead of future elections, even amidst local party friction.

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I have seen elections before; I’ve been in this game for a long time since 1998, and I want to say that I’m always very, very sure of what I say.