By John Ogunsemore

The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has denied calling for the sack of Senator George Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula said this in a Sunday statement.

Kula said the insinuation that the governor orchestrated the call for the SGF’s removal is a misleading narrative that serves only to distract from the real issues at hand.

The governor’s spokesman said the rebuttal was necessitated by mischief making the rounds in the media.

He stated that the purported call is being sponsored by the SGF’s proxies who are desperate to blackmail the governor and distract him from the unprecedented developmental strides he is undertaking in the state.

He said the purveyors hinged their claim on the communique by a group of appointees of the governor.

“However, it is necessary to throw light on the context surrounding the call for the removal of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

“While the point of view expressed in the communique must have clearly reflected the concerns of these appointees, it is most critical to specifically point out that they do not represent in any way, an official stance of the governor,” the statement reads in part.

Kula added that the group that issued the statement comprises adults who are entitled to express their opinions autonomously.

“They did not claim to speak on behalf of Governor Alia, nor did they insinuate that their call for action was sanctioned by him.

“Moreover, the Governor has consistently maintained a professional decorum and has refrained from going public to accuse the SGF despite the provocations perpetually directed at him by the SGF’s political allies and associates including his wife who is a member of the House of Representatives.

“If Governor Alia wants to call for Akume’s sack, he certainly knows exactly what to do and where to channel his request the same way he channeled his preference and recommendations for him before he was appointed SGF.

“Nevertheless, the ongoing attacks and public ridicule directed at the Governor from Akume’s circle are regrettable, yet Governor Alia has chosen to respond with restraint rather than retaliatory measures,” the statement further reads.