The Chief Press Secretary to the Benue State Governor, Kulas Tersoo, has debunked a rumour of alleged existing rift between Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
Tersoo in a press statement released on Monday, October 9, made available to The Nation in Makurdi, debunked the persistent speculation from the opposition camp about a strained relationship between his principal and the SGF.
According to him, contrary to the rumour by the opposition, there is nothing of such, noting that Governor Alia and Senator Akume enjoyed the best of relationship.
The statements read: “Yesterday, Sunday, October 8th, 2023, another group came up with a Press Conference in Makurdi where they tried to give credence to some unfounded rumours by linking Governor Alia and the Government of Benue State as complaining of the SGF’s alleged meddlesomeness in the running of government in the state. It is based on this that we have decided to make a statement in this regard.
“There exists no bad blood between Governor Hyacinth Alia and the SGF. The governor has at different fora, and most recently during a victory parade organised for him by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, declared that the SGF remains the leader of the party in the state and that there is no issue between them as being speculated by people who don’t mean well for the state.
“Jealous elements, especially, the opposition who are waiting to see a fight between us should be ashamed of themselves. I am working hand in hand with my leader, Sen. George Akume.
“The governor regards the Secretary to the Government of the Federation as a respected leader of the party not just in the state, but the North Central and therefore, will no longer continue to keep quiet as some opportunistic elements desperately seek to pitch them against each other for their inordinate pecuniary gain.
“The opposition elements trying to foist a crack among the party’s leaders in the state by sponsoring malicious and vexatious press conferences should desist forthwith, as the Governor and the SGF’s relationship goes way back and will continue to wax stronger.”