Priceless General, Opeyemi Bamidele salutes Akume at 70

The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has hailed the Secretary to the Government of Federation, George Akume who clocks 70 years today, December 27.

In a statement by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Bamidele described the SGF as one of the few progressive generals, who through resilience and tenacity reclaimed Nigeria from the claws of regressive elements in 2015.

He recounted Akume’s many contributions as Benue State Governor (1999-2007), Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2007 – 2019) and Minister of Special Duties (2019 – 2023), pointing out his unflinching love for his people and his people’s love for him.

Bamidele added, “On this day, I celebrate one of the priceless generals in the ranks of the progressives, who worked valiantly to rescue and reclaim Nigeria from the claws of regressive elements that ruled between 1999 and 2015.

“Even when the progressive actors could not make meaningful inroads into the Middle Belt, Senator Akume held forth and is still holding forth, especially amid stiff opposition from the ruling elite in the state and at the centre.

“Senator Akume’s politics of consistency and welfarism has made both the young and old people in Benue State to be pleased with him. Today, there is no political actor in Benue State, indeed Middle Belt at large, that is in touch with the people at the grassroots as Senator Akume. He is truly a man of the people.

“For these reasons, the upcoming progressives nationwide have the onus of understudying Senator Akume’s politics that endeared him to the heart of Benue people and beyond since his election in 1999.”