The secretary, Middle Belt Youths Forum (MBYF), Mathew Bishop, has decried media attacks on the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, by his (Akume’s) kinsmen under the platform of Zone A peoples’ Assembly (ZAPA) over lopsided appointment.
ZAPA, a social cultural group from Benue North-East senatorial District well known as zone A at a press conference in Makurdi, Benue State, recently accused SGF for cornering key positions to the people of zone B district particularly his cronies and family members, leaving out the two other senatorial zones of A and C.
However, the MBYF secretary while interacting with Tribune Online on Sunday in Lafia, countered the group, saying Akume was not only representing Tiv and Benue State in his current appointment but the people of Middle Belt and Nigeria at large.
Bishop expressed shock at Akume’s kinsmen intention to hijack the SGF slot meant for the entire people of Middle Belt to a Zone A and C affairs, urging the leaders of the senatorial district to call ZAPA to order.
He noted that if the group is not called to order by the leaders of the zone, he would suspect a conspiracy against Akume, hence calling for a rethink.
Bishop said Akume’s antecedence had shown that he was not a greedy politician but a liberal democrat who demonstrated that among his people.
He said history has shown that it was during Akume’s time as Governor of Benue State that many sons and daughters across all the zones of the state, including Zone A and C rose to limelights politically.
The former Nasarawa State chairman of Young Progressives Party (YPP) said the group may have rather been sponsored to distract the SGF with the allegations.
“Akume has worked relentlessly in developing other leaders both within and outside his party without discrimination. Accusing him of frustrating other zones in his home state is an uncharitable accusation against a man who has given his all to the service of the nation and does not forget his own people.
“Even if you want to complain, it is too early because Akume himself has not appointed his aides. The president is just about to swear in his cabinet, so I don’t know why the complaint is coming now. Or is there something the people of that senatorial district are not telling us,” Bishop queried.
He explained that Akume’s position as the SGF was not restricted to Benue State alone but the Middle Belt and Nigeria at large and called for the group not to belittle the exalted office of the SGF.
Bishop advised ZAPA not to distract Senator Akume as he is busy delivering on the mandate of president Ahmed Bola Tinubu and the APC manifestos.
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