The Chairman, Northern Governors forum extolled the Hon. Minister, Special Duties & Inter- Governmental Affairs, Sen George Akume's sage yesterday, 20th December, 2021 at the Plateau state Government House, Rayfied, Jos when the Minister's high powered delegation led by the Pro Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Senator Jacob Tilley Gyado, OFR paid him a visit.
Barr Lalong said he would like to work with Dr Akume closely again if opportunity avails as he has benefited greatly from his recommendations and counsels.
Earlier, leader of the delegation, Sen Gyado thanked His Excellency, Simon Lalong for granting the delegation audience at a very short notice. Jack Gyado further disclosed to him that, as the Chairman of 19 Governors forum, chieftain of the APC who was geographically part of Benue state, it was necessary to formally inform him of the intention of the delegation's leader, Sen George Akume to hold sway as the next APC National Chairman.
Lalong reaffirmed that Sen Akume being a core progressive who had contributed immensely for the merger of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA), he will be glad if his desire to man the affairs of the great party sails through.
The Governor thanked the team for finding him for worthy for consultation and promised to also consult other critical stakeholders on the visit.
The Plateau state Governor was accompanied by his Deputy Prof Sunny Tyodem, Chief of Staff, Noel Dongur, Information Commissioner, Mrs Dan Manjang, among other top government functionaries.
Senator George Akume being a leader to identify with always, his high powered delegation was made up of the Benue APC Chairman elect, Austin Agada , his Deputy, Dr Steven Tsav, the immediate past Deputy Governor, Steven Lawani OFR, Former Minister of State, Niger Delta Affairs, Sam Ode Mni, fmr Commissioner, Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, Prof Terhemba Shija. Other party chieftains who were also part of the visit are, the immediate past House of Reps member, Emmanuel Udende, former Water Resources & Environment Commissioner, Nick Wende, ex National Assembly member, Dickson Tarkighir, APC North Central Youth leader, Terver Aginde, one time Board member, National Examination Council, Chief Terlumun Akputu, Chairman, Governing Board, Federal College of Education, Ebonyi, elder Simon Shango, Board member, Federal Polytechnic Wanune, Hon Mike Msuaan, former Chairman, Muslims Welfare Board, Alhaji El-sheikh Aliyu Ibrahim and the Special Assistant on Protocol to the Hon. Minister, Benjamin Penda among others.
The loaded delegation interected with the Emir of Lafia, HRH, Sidi Bage before proceeding to Government House, Rayfied Jos.
Perior to the Jos meeting the delegation had visited Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nassarawa state and the Emir of Lafia Alahaji Sidi Bage Mohammed 1 in Lafia Nassarawa State who both extolled the Leadership Qualities of Sen. George Akume and prayed for him to succeed in his ambition of becoming APC National Chairman .