APC support group debunks Akume’s alleged romance with SDP

A support group of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) under the umbrella of APC Advocacy Group, has debunked a report in an online publication which accused the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume of planning to sponsor the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in order to unseat the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

The report, which was credited to an unknown support group of APC under the auspices of All Progressive Congress National Youth Council, APC-NYC, listed as one of the grouses Akume has against Tinubu the nomination of Kassim Shettima as his running mate in the 2023 presidential election.

According to the online publication, the group’s claim was contained in a press statement signed by its Chairman, Ambassador Muhammed Audu.

The group was reported to have said: “Akume who was against a Muslim-Muslim Ticket for both Tinubu and Shettima was also nursing to be vice president to Bola Tinubu as at the time the former Borno state governor was picked by the APC presidential candidate as his running mate.

“Not pleased with his position as SGF, Senator George Akume has now found a hope in his allies like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mallam Nasir El-Rufai are planing to use the SDP to face President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

“We can authoritatively report that Senator Akume as a result of his power tussle with the governor of his state, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, has been sponsoring the stability of the Social Democratic Party in Benue state with a plan to use the Third Force to unseat the ruling party in 2027.”

But while reacting to the statement, Dr. Fulani Dele, the Convener of APC Advocacy Group, a registered support group with the National Secretariat of APC, described the report as false, baseless, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.

Fulani, in a statement signed on behalf of the group and made available to journalists in Abuja, stated emphatically that having checked the official register at National Secretariat of the party, the so-called “APC National Youth Council” is unknown to the APC Advocacy Group, neither is it registered with the National Secretariat of the party.

Fulani further described the group as a faceless political front created by mischief-makers and sponsored by political detractors.

The party chieftain maintained that
Senator Akume’s political loyalty to the President and APC is undisputable stressing that Akume has remained a loyal ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu since their days as governors in 1999.

“As a founding member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), he was one of the few North Central senators elected on the ACN platform before the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“His steadfast commitment and contributions to the party earned him the esteemed position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) under President Tinubu’s administration.

“As SGF, Senator Akume has performed exceptionally well, playing a crucial role in implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu. His leadership has been instrumental in the smooth operation of the government and the execution of key national policies,” he stated.

Fulani further stressed that Senator Akume has no plan to defect to SDP, adding that the rumors of defection are false and exist only in the imagination of the writers and those behind this orchestrated smear campaign.

“Senator Akume has never engaged in any discussions or meetings about leaving APC for SDP or any other party. This story is a desperate fabrication by those envious of his rising political influence and strong relationship with the President,” Fulani stated.

The group urged the general public, APC members, and supporters to disregard this misleading report, stressing that the APC Advocacy Group remain solidly behind Senator George Akume and his continued dedication to the party and President Tinubu’s administration.

He maintained that this is nothing more than a failed attempt by political merchants to spread falsehoods and create division within the APC, stressing that their intentions have been exposed and their baseless propaganda will not succeed.