Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said on Saturday that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State would not allow anyone who won the election on the party’s platform in the state to run away with the mandate of the party.
He stated this at the APC stakeholders meeting held at Government House in Makurdi.
Akume, who was represented by Simon Shango, one of the elders in the party, said the party was determined to ensure unity and peace in its ranks.
The immediate past governor of the state, Samuel Ortom, who won the state’s governorship on the platform of the APC in 2015, defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2018.
Akume, who dismissed insinuations of rift between him and the governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia. He stated that he remains faithful as a servant and ambassador of the state at the federal level.
“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) emphasized that no one will go away with our mandate anymore, and we will do our best to ensure that the marriage continues.” Shango said
He added, “There is no issue with the governor, and they have been relating well.”
While calling on party members to rally together, the former governor warned political jobbers to refrain from creating enmity amongst the party members.
Also in his speech, Alia appreciated the party for reposing confidence in him and promised that he would struggle hard to restore the state’s former glory.
He appreciated all the speakers at the meeting and assured them that the APC would stand united.
“On the unity of purpose We must stand; we can not stand in the difference.” He said.