By Sunday Ogli, Makurdi
FORMER presidential aspirant and business mogul, High Chief Moses Ayom, has disclosed how he turned down pressures to be appointed minister and instead lobbied President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to appoint Senator George Akume, the immediate past Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Secretary to the Federal Government, SGF.
Speaking to newsmen in Makurdi on Saturday, Ayom who lauded the action of Mr President said it gladdened his heart that the president heeded his advise among others and appointed Akume as the SGF in his administration.
His words: “You remember that I resisted the pressure being mounted on me and calls by some groups that I be appointed a Minister.
“I rejected the call to be given a ministerial slot in preference for the appointment of Senator Akume as SGF.
“I told you at that time that I was not interested in a ministerial position, not because I am too big to serve my country under the Tinubu led government, but because, I have tremendous respect for elders and leaders.
“I will rather demand and passionately appeal to the President that, Senator George Akume be considered for the position of SGF and today the President has heeded my call.
“Both Akume and the President have a long standing relationship, first as former governors, leaders of our party and critical stakeholders, so now that the president has appointed Senator Akume, they will work closely because they know each other well.
“It is also my firm belief that, now that Senator Akume has been appointed SGF, he will not leave me behind, because he is a man with a charitable heart and magnanimous disposition. As far as I know, he is my leader and as a loyal and committed party man, protecting his interest and projecting his image is what I consider a sacred duty.
“Senator George Akume is my leader and mentor. He made me who I am today, just as he has made so many others. Akume was also the one who brought me into our great party, the APC. He has done so much for me and I cannot deny it.”
While he noted that he is overjoyed by the appointment, the former presidential aspirant called on all and sundry to give the SGF the necessary support to succeed in his assignment.
It would be recalled that a few months ago, a group under the auspices of Clerics Congress of Nigeria and Middle Belt Bishops Conference (MBBC) had called on the President shortly after he was elected, to consider Chief Ayom for appointment as minister.
