APC Crisis: Shettima Urges Akume To Mend Fences With Governor Alia

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday publicly appealed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, to “mend fences” amid the deepening leadership crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State.

Shettima made the appeal at the PGF–Renewed Hope Ambassadors Strategic Summit held at the State House Conference Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Vice President’s remarks come against the backdrop of an escalating rift between Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State and his political leader and predecessor, Akume.

The leadership crisis worsened following the APC ward congress conducted across Benue last Wednesday. The dispute, which began shortly after Alia’s inauguration in 2023, has split the party into two factions in the state.

After the congress, both camps announced separate ward executive committees.

The Austin Agada-led executive, aligned with Akume, described the exercise as a reaffirmation of existing ward executives.

However, loyalists of Governor Alia maintained that the congress, conducted through consensus across the state, produced new ward executives, arguing that the tenure of the previous officials had expired.

Spokespersons for both factions, who spoke separately last Thursday, insisted that their actions were in line with directives from the party’s national secretariat.

Against this backdrop, Shettima urged reconciliation.

Addressing Akume directly, the Vice President said, “Reach out to our junior brother. Let’s build Benue together. Benue deserves peace. Benue deserves development.”

He highlighted Akume’s long record in public service, noting his career progression from service in Benue Government House to governor for eight years, senator for 16 years, minister for four years, and now Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

“You have seen it all,” Shettima said.

He stressed that unity must prevail over division, adding, “Nigeria is greater than all of us.”

Quoting civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., Shettima added that Nigerians must “learn to live together as brothers,” insisting that the country must prioritise cohesion over conflict.