By Nelson Ogbu
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and governors of the North Central states on Friday endorsed the Forum of Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) to Governors of the North Central States as it inaugurated its national executive members and declared support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
The event, which drew participants from Benue, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Niger and Plateau states, was attended by representatives of key federal and state officials, highlighting growing political coordination within the region ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Senator Akume was represented by Dr. Francis Tyokase, while the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, was represented by the Director General, Plenipotentiary and Liaison Affairs, Dr. Jimmy Ajim. The Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, was represented by his Special Adviser, Alhaji Safiyanu Doma.
In a keynote address, the Chairman of the SSAs Forum said the inauguration marked a formal consolidation of the group, describing SSAs as key intermediaries between government policies and grassroots implementation.
He said the forum would work to strengthen governance delivery across the North Central region and called for unity among political stakeholders, particularly as preparations begin for the 2027 elections.
The Chairman stated that the forum supports the re-election of President Tinubu, citing ongoing federal infrastructure projects and security interventions across states in the region as reasons for continuity.
He also appealed to state governments to provide institutional support for the SSAs Forum, including office accommodation and logistics support at state and local government levels.
Also speaking, the Patron of the forum and Deputy Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims, pledged continued support for the SSAs, describing the forum as an important structure for political coordination at the grassroots.
Halims referenced the Tinubu administration’s economic and security policies, as well as social intervention programmes, which he said were yielding results.
The event was attended by political stakeholders and support groups from across the North Central zone, including representatives of the Akume 4 Tinubu Support Group 2027 and Progressives Legislative Aides Nigeria (PLAN).
The forum expressed optimism that the North Central region would play a significant role in the 2027 general elections.
