Political leaders from across party lines in Benue State have thrown their weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s security agenda, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, announced on Sunday.
Akume made this known when a delegation of political stakeholders from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party, African Democratic Congress (ADC), and other parties in Kwande and Ushongo Local Government Areas visited him at his residence in Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, Akume said the security situation in Nigeria has improved significantly since President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, despite ongoing challenges in some areas.
“The security situation in the country is not as bad as it used to be by the time we took over,” he stated. “This government has done so much to address this major, major challenge, and results are there for everyone to see.”
The SGF’s remarks come in the wake of renewed violence in Yelwata, a border community between Benue and Nasarawa states, where dozens of lives were lost and thousands displaced in recent attacks. The incident prompted public outcry and renewed scrutiny over insecurity in Benue, particularly in rural communities vulnerable to armed invasions.
In response to the tragedy, President Tinubu visited Benue in June, where he met with state officials and local leaders, assessed the humanitarian crisis firsthand, and announced the formation of a peace panel to probe the root causes of the violence and propose long-term solutions.
According to Akume, Sunday’s solidarity visit is a testament to the growing consensus among Benue’s political elite to support the President’s interventions and prioritise peace.
“The President was deeply moved by the killings in Yelwata. He cancelled a planned visit to Kaduna to come to Benue. That act of patriotism shows how concerned he is,” Akume said. “He advised me and the governor on next steps and instructed the formation of a panel to investigate and resolve the crisis. I have since submitted proposals to that effect.”
He also praised the President’s inclusive approach to governance and security, highlighting the deployment of additional security personnel to the state and several federal interventions, including infrastructure development.
Akume noted the recent N1 billion donation by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu to support humanitarian relief in Benue, as well as federal approvals for key road projects, such as the Makurdi–Yandev–Katsina-Ala and Makurdi–Aliade–Otukpo roads.
He further emphasized the importance of citizen participation in securing the country:
“All of us as citizens of this country must be fully engaged in supporting security forces. Security is a collective responsibility.”
Hon. Terseer Ugbor, a member of the House of Representatives representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency, also addressed the gathering, affirming that political structures in his constituency had unified in support of the SGF and the Tinubu-led government.
“They have collapsed their structures and ambitions to follow the SGF wherever he leads,” Ugbor said. “Every right-thinking leader and citizen of Benue is united to end insecurity. We are farmers. When there’s insecurity, there’s no food. We must restore peace.”
Ugbor acknowledged improved security conditions in Kwande and called for sustained federal collaboration to ensure lasting peace and agricultural revival across the state.
The bipartisan show of support highlights a shifting political tone in Benue State, where leaders are increasingly rallying around a shared goal: restoring security and stability in one of Nigeria’s most agriculturally important states.
