Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has debunked reports linking him to the All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairmanship, saying he remains fully committed to the responsibilities entrusted to him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Reacting to a recent publication listing him among northern political figures allegedly jostling for the party’s leadership, Akume described the claims as baseless and misleading. He insisted that his current priority is ensuring the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda — the administration’s roadmap for national development.
“I am not in a hurry to abandon the task placed before me by Mr. President,” Akume said. “Everything I have become is by God’s grace and the support of people like President Tinubu. I cannot be in a race I’m not interested in.”
The former Benue governor made the clarification via a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Yomi Odunuga. The statement emphasized that Akume is not competing for any APC leadership role and warned against dragging his name into party politics when his full attention is devoted to national policy coordination.
The Office of the SGF also urged media platforms to exercise greater professionalism and seek verification before publishing politically sensitive stories. “Speculations like this only serve to distract public officials and misinform the public,” Odunuga said.
Since his appointment in 2023, Akume has played a key role in overseeing the implementation of government policies, streamlining federal service delivery, and coordinating reform-driven collaboration among ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
While acknowledging that the APC may restructure ahead of the 2027 elections, Akume reiterated that his role is not to jostle for positions but to deliver on the government’s promises to Nigerians.
“I believe leadership comes through divine timing,” he added. “Right now, my focus is on helping President Tinubu fulfil the expectations of the Nigerian people.”
Akume’s dismissal of the chairmanship speculation comes amid increased political chatter within APC circles as internal realignments begin to shape discussions ahead of the next general election cycle.
