The North Central Development Initiative (NCDI) has openly denounced peddlers of a smear campaign contained in a statement issued recently by a splinter-body of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, against Senator George Akume saying any call for “his suspension,” was baseless.

The splinter group had in a recent release alleged that Senator George Akume, a one-time Governor of Benue State, is involved In a case currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and therefore, had called for his suspension from office, and to be followed with a nation-wide protest to back the action.

In a quick reaction however, NCDI in a counter release signed by Comrade Musa Otigba, Director-General/National Coordinator, NCDI in Abuja, Nigeria dated Wednesday 14th May, 2025 and made available to News Express, the group said: “ordinarily,” it would prefer not to expend energies nor resources to respond to “such spurious provocative and inciting statement built on mischief, hatred, disdain and lack of merit,” coming from the splinter group, but was however reacting because of the negative image it would have on not just the person of Senator Akume, but also on the name on NCDI, their highly respected elders and that of the NCDI, being dragged into the controversy.

The "provocative" statements, according to NCDI were contained in a release “signed by the group’s factional National Secretary, one Bayo Adenuga, acting in cohort with some opposition elements, hiding behind the veil of cowardice, is an orchestrated attempt to incite public opinion and cast aspersion on the person and character of the SGF, with the intent to sway public opinion, slander and tarnish the hard-earned reputation of the Elder Statesman in the person of the Senator George Akume, CON.”

NCDI said it considered the factional Afenifere group’s statement as repugnant, prejudicial and in bad taste, as the case in question is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), saying the statement is an attempt to intimidate and stampede and possibly arm-twist the EFCC to do otherwise in its investigations.

They pledged their loyalty to the leadership of the North Central Region, under Senator, George Akume CON, as “a capable, loyal ally of Mr. President, working assiduously for the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.”

They said: “The North-Central zone and its people under the leadership of His Excellency Senator (DR.) George Akume, CON is solidly behind His Excellency Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed forces, Fe’eral Republic of Nigeria in his efforts to rework the economy of Nigeria unto the path of peace, economic growth and development.”