One of the most important functions which the All Progressives Congress (APC) must perform soonest is the convocation of a National Convention through which the National Working Committee of the Party would be elected.
Although no official date of the convention has been announced, some form of conversation and consultations are being held amongst top members of the party to arrive at a free, fair and non-acrimonious convention when it is finally held. There are also some suggestions that possible arrangements may be made in such a manner that some party positions are achieved by consensus. If that were to be the case there is this saying that ‘why the far-flung search for a woman of your dream when she lives just in the neighborhood’? That is why the name of the former Governor of Benue State and the present Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs Senator George Akume comes to mind.
Although Senator Akume comes from the family of the political legend Senator Joseph Sarwuan Tarka, not much was known about him until the election of 1999 where he successfully won two consecutive terms as Governor of Benue State from 1999 to 2007.
At the moment he is the indisputable leader of the APC in Benue State. He had successfully spent 12 years in the Senate representing the people of Benue North/West Senatorial District. In the 2015 Governorship election in Benue State, he again led the APC to victory in a historic election that defeated the then ruling party in the state, which had held sway for 16 years.
Although Akume was born in his native town of Wannune over six decades ago, he also spent quite some time outside his immediate native environment thus widening his scope of influence and contacts. For example, he spent five years at Government Secondary School Otukpo, two years at St. Louis College Jos for his Higher School Certificate (HSC) and successfully attended Nigeria`s premier university, University of Ibadan.
Akume served as a Director at the Federal Ministry of Education, during which he attended Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) Badagry to gain more administrative knowledge.
In terms of political reach, he still has the links that his political godfather and late uncle Senator Joseph Tarka had built over the years, with the politicians in the Western part of Nigeria, when his United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC) went into Alliance with Action Group led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the then Premier Western Region to contest the 1959 general elections. The Alliance won almost all the seats in the then Benue province. That connection which has lasted for over four decades, is still alive and kicking up to this moment.
Senator Akume as Governor of Benue State was adjudged a good governor, a humble man and was intensely loved by his people. He has a large following from all the three Senatorial Districts of Benue State.
A detribalized man, he carefully weighs all sides of the coin before commenting on any issue. This attitude has endeared him to most people of different political opinions, not only in the Northern part of the country but across Nigeria. No wonder he received large support of his colleagues in the Senate when he contested the position of President of the Senate of the seventh Assembly which he narrowly lost.
The way he quickly adjusted into the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs as Minister demonstrates his ability and capacity for achievements, if confronted with new challenges. One of his mandates to achieve a synergy between all Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies has been largely achieved because of his belief that although the Ministries are different and variant they now work in harmony to move the country forward.
For Senator George Akume many possible synonyms can be said and one of the greatest gifts he has as a person is his kindness and humility. Above all, Senator Akume is a team player; he has proved it at executive and legislative levels. He will blend these experiences at party level and move the APC and the country to the next level. Given the co-operation and tolerance shown by President Muhammadu Buhari, the two will come together to give level playing ground to all aspirants in the 2023 elections as prescribed by the constitution of the party.
Usman Adams, Abuja
