By Amos Aar
THE ONGOING power tussle between the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and his one-time political protégé, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, keep intensifying.
Further signs that the friction is escalating became more evident during a New Year event, a thanksgiving ceremony in honour of Akume and the 50th birthday celebration of Dr. Mathias Byuan, the Executive Director of Housing, Finance, and Accounts at the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), held at Agidi in Konshisha LGA of Benue State.
The tension was sparked by a song performed by a group of women, now nicknamed the ‘Agidi Choir’, who reworded a Catholic hymn into a political anthem in Tiv language, ostensibly mocking Governor Alia in favour of Akume.
The lyrics of the song, translated into English, read:
“I’m used to the suffering of this world. Truly, King Dajoh (Dajoh is George Akume’s grandfather’s name), I don’t like Fada (Alia as a reverend father). Very soon, people who are following Fada will start crying and running back, saying they are fed up with Fada. But those who are following Dajoh and are comfortable will be rejoicing.”
While some saw no harm in the song, others criticised it as an insult to Governor Alia and condemned the use of a Christian hymn for political purposes.
Fiery Exchanges Follow:
In response to the incident, Governor Alia’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Tersoo Kula, issued three successive press statements that ignited intense debate on social media. One particularly controversial remark in his statements impliedly alleged mental instability of a personality believed to be Akume. “We are not oblivious of the fact that controlling madness is a herculean task, anyway,” Kula wrote.
In the first statement, entitled: “Alia: Sen. Akume is Pouring Water on the Rock,” Kula accused Akume of orchestrating campaigns to distract the governor.
“New Year’s Day songs of war targeted at the shining light of Benue, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, by the SGF, Sen. Akume’s hirelings, have exposed his desperation to distract the governor. Unfortunately for him and his team of desperadoes, we have learned from history. No sane Benue citizen will be foolishly swayed again. Such antics and vicious concoctions by his minors like one Abua Crucial Yajir can be, at most, likened to pouring water on the rock.”
In a second statement entitled: “Romancing with Former Governor Samuel Ortom is the New Low,” Kula alleged that Akume had aligned with former Governor Samuel Ortom to undermine Alia.
“In any sane clime, the mere mention of the name Samuel Ortom should evoke disgust, disdain, and despair. His eight-year misadventure as governor of Benue State between 2015-2023 can best be described as the lowest any state in Nigeria had descended to.”
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Kula went on to lambast Ortom for alleged corruption, poor governance, and self-enrichment during his tenure, accusing him of neglecting infrastructure, education, and healthcare, while living lavishly at the expense of the state.
“Ortom remains a reference point for poor judgment, mischief, dismal performance in office, inhumanity to his fellow man, and bankruptcy of thought. He is an example of what a leader should never be.”
Kula’s inflammatory rhetoric drew mixed reactions, with some applauding his defence of the governor and others criticising the tone and approach. Undeterred, Kula dropped a third post, warning: “We haven’t started yet.”
While expectations of a truce were initially high for this year, these recent altercations seem to be widening the rift, and there is every likelihood of escalation as 2027 politicking creeps in. This is fuelling speculations that Governor Alia may have plans in place to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC) for another party, which those familiar with the plan predict will be the Labour Party (LP).
