Three Benue Socio Cultural groups Lampoon Afenifere, Arewa Patriots for calls to suspend SGF Akume

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The three Socio-cultural organizations in Benue State, has lampooned Afenifere and the Arewa Patriots for calling for the suspension of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.

While the tribal groups suggested that Arewa Patriots and Afenifere should allow the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and other investigating authorities to do their job, they alleged that the calls for the suspension of the SGF, is politically motivated.

The three organizations including Mzough U Tiv (MUT); the Ochetoha K’Idoma, and Ominy’Igede, who condemned the stand of those seeking the removal of the SGF, pointed out that right from the onset the SGF, Senator George Akume had absolved himself of the allegations by asking security agencies to investigate the Aide.

Briefing newsmen in Makurdi on Tuesday, the President General, Mzough U Tiv (MUT), worldwide, and Chairman of the three Socio-Cultural groups, Chief CP Iorbee Ihagh rtd, expressed shock that the groups are alleging that the SGF, was standing in the way of EFCC in carrying out its investigation.

He said, “We wish to condemn in very strong and unequivocal terms the recent statement by Afenifere and the Arewa Patriots, who are calling for the suspension from office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.

“The two groups (Arewa Patriots and Afenifere) also made very serious allegations against the person of Senator Akume, and called for the suspension of the SGF from office for allegedly standing in the way of the investigation of the Senior Special Assistant to the President, attached to the office of the SGF, Mr Torhile Uchi, who is presently being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“It is quite disheartening, to say the least, that the groups would suggest that Senator Akume, is hindering the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), from doing its job.

“Senator George Akume, a two-time Governor of Benue State, a Senator for 12 years and a Minister for several years before becoming the SGF, is a seasoned administrator who has served in the State Civil Service, is one that knows the pros and cons of such situations and would not intentional block the EFCC from doing its job.

“Let us refreshen your memories a little. Recall that at the onset of the allegations leveled against Mr Uchi, the SGF, had given his nod to all the security agencies to investigate the Aide, absolving himself of any connection with the alleged fraud, thus the call for the suspension of Senator George Akume is politically motivated and is not based on the yardstick of accountability and transparency.

“What we thought as a group is that all interested parties will wait to hear the outcome of the investigation and thereafter draw conclusions on the matter. But unfortunately, the factional Afenifere group and the Arewa Patriots have drawn a conclusion on the matter.”

Furthermore, Chief Ihagh observed that “As a Member of the Ethnic Nationalities of Nigeria, I know that there is no factional Afenifere, therefore we believe that this group has been sponsored to do what they are doing and also acting out a script handed to them.

“We have also noticed that some Arewa groups have been throwing spanners in the works of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as his appointees and the Arewa Patriots have towed this line of action. Before now, we had thought that we are part of Arewa, and the people of Arewa are with us, but with this development, they have clearly drawn a demarcation that they are Northerners and we are from Middle Belt.

“The statement by the Arewa Patriots is so pathetic because we have seen instances where allegations of misappropriation had been leveled against Northerners and Afenifere and nobody called for their resignation, suspension or outright removal, whereas in this case Senator Akume has not been accused of embezzling government funds, despite that they are asking for his head.

“It also worthy of note that the person in question is an Aide in the office of the SGF and that was appointed by the office of the President. The comparism with the sack of the former Minister, Beta Edu, does not hold water because in her case the allegations were directly leveled against her.

“Also the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other security agencies are already investigating the issue, so what the Arewa Patriots and the factional Afenifere is doing is that they are trying to stampede the investigation of the EFCC.

“We want to advise that they (factional Afenifere and Arewa Patriots) should not pressurize the investigating authorities, rather they should allow them to carry out their duties as they deem fit, bring out their findings and recommendations and/or charges against the offender.

“We have also discovered that some of the groups that are coming out against the SGF, Senator George Akume are rocking the boat that would ensure that the President and his appointees fail in governance. However, we want to state in very clear terms that we the people of the Middle Belt are 100% in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and we stand by him despite the clamour that he should not run in 2027.

“So, if the North think that they have some bones to pick with Mr President, so that he does not emerge President in 2027, we do not stand with them on this matter. We want to state categorically and without a shade of doubt that we the people of the Middle Belt are good to go with President Tinubu”, he stated.

Therefore, Ihagh who is also the chairman of the the three socio-cultural organizations in Benue state said, “We want to appreciate Mr President for the things that he has been doing for the people of Benue State, through his Renewed Hope Agenda.

“We appeal to Mr President, to expedite action on the issue of insecurity that has bedeviled the state and draft more security agents to the troubled spots in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa States, so that the people of the affected communities will go back to their ancestral homes and continue with their farming activities to feed Nigerians.

“In doing this the President will endear himself to the people of Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa States” he said.