Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has stated that political leaders across party lines in Benue State are throwing their weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s security initiatives.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Akume made this known during a solidarity visit by leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Kwande and Ushongo Local Government Areas at his Abuja residence.

According to the former Benue State Governor, Nigeria’s security landscape has seen marked improvement since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.

“The security situation in the country is no longer as dire as it was when we took over. This administration has made significant progress in tackling this major challenge, and the results are evident,” Akume said.

The meeting comes on the heels of recent violent attacks in Yelwata, a border town between Benue and Nasarawa States, where scores were killed and thousands displaced—sparking renewed concerns about rural insecurity in the state.

In June, President Tinubu visited Benue in response to the crisis, meeting local leaders, assessing the humanitarian toll, and announcing the establishment of a peace panel to investigate root causes and propose long-term solutions.

Akume described Sunday’s visit as a continuation of those efforts, signaling growing political consensus in Benue to end the cycle of violence. He recalled how the President canceled a scheduled trip to Kaduna to prioritize a personal visit to Benue after the Yelwata killings.

“That decision reflected his patriotism and genuine concern for the suffering of our people,” Akume said. “He was on the ground, saw the reality, and immediately tasked us with setting up a panel to find lasting solutions.”

He said he has already submitted proposals to the President for the panel’s composition, adding that the Benue State Governor will be part of the process once available.

Akume also commended Tinubu’s broader approach to governance through citizen engagement, referencing recent townhall-style meetings held in Kaduna and other parts of the North.

“These council meetings allow citizens—who hold the mandate—to interact directly and meaningfully with government officials,” he said.

He revealed that additional security forces have been deployed to Benue, and listed other federal interventions, including the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s recent visit and a ₦1 billion relief donation.

Other actions cited include a security assessment by Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda and federal approval for the reconstruction of key roads such as the Makurdi–Yandev–Katsina-Ala highway and ongoing works on the Makurdi–Aliade–Otukpo road.

Akume urged citizens to play an active role in improving security.

“Ensuring safety is not the sole responsibility of government forces. Every citizen has a part to play in supporting security operations,” he said.

Also speaking during the visit, Hon. Terseer Ugbor, who represents the Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, said the delegation—which included members of APC, PDP, Labour Party, ADC, and others—came to express their unwavering support for the SGF and President Tinubu.

“They have collapsed their structures and ambitions to align with the SGF wherever he leads,” Ugbor noted.

He highlighted notable improvements in security, particularly in Kwande, one of the areas most affected by past violence.

“We’ve witnessed significant improvement in the security situation,” he added. “All responsible leaders and citizens of Benue are united in their resolve to end insecurity. As an agrarian state, peace is crucial for our survival and prosperity.”