If Benue fails to develop, don’t blame Tinubu — Akume

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should not be blamed if Benue State fails to develop, insisting that the Federal Government has provided states and local governments with sufficient financial resources to drive development.

Akume stated this on Tuesday in Abuja while addressing leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Benue State who paid him a solidarity visit and pledged their loyalty ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The delegation, led by former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Emmanuel Jime, also endorsed President Tinubu for a second term in office and urged the SGF to spearhead efforts to reposition the APC in Benue State.

Speaking on governance, Akume said the Tinubu administration had consistently met its constitutional obligations by increasing statutory allocations to states and local governments.

“I know that the President, in a most unprecedented manner, has pushed a lot of money to the states and the local governments,” he said.

“All the tiers of government have access to the Federation Account. If we can’t develop our state, it’s not the fault of Mr President. He is doing what he is supposed to do for the country and for the states, and Benue is no exception.”

The former Benue governor maintained that the Renewed Hope administration had created the financial conditions for sub-national governments to execute meaningful development projects, stressing that state governments must take responsibility for how the resources are utilised.

Akume expressed optimism that Benue could reclaim its lost political and economic relevance through unity and purposeful leadership.

He also urged APC stakeholders to remain united and continue supporting President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing it as a roadmap for sustainable development and improved living standards.

In an apparent move to ease tensions within the Benue APC, Akume said he harboured no resentment against any political actor in the state and appealed to party members to work together in the interest of Benue and the ruling party.

Earlier, Emmanuel Jime lamented what he described as the erosion of internal democracy within the Benue APC and called on the SGF to provide leadership capable of restoring inclusiveness, fairness and cohesion in the party.

The meeting ended with a unanimous vote of confidence in Akume’s leadership and an endorsement of President Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027.