SGF Akume’s Wife Publicly Urges Him to Re-Embrace Christianity Amid Polygamy Controversy

Hon. Regina Akume, the wife of Nigeria’s Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has made a heartfelt public plea for her husband to return to Christianity. The appeal came during a thanksgiving service marking the wedding of one of the senator’s children, where she subtly addressed his recent marriage without naming it directly.

Speaking at the event in Gboko, Benue State, Rep. Akume— who represents the Gboko/Terfa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives—prayed for her husband’s longevity and clarity while urging him to honor his Christian roots. “I pray that the Lord will increase his years, good health of mind and body, and give him clarity in thinking and doing things right,” she stated. “And he should remember that he is a Christian, and it is Christianity that brought him this far. To drop Christianity now and go for anything else, he will not be successful.”

She continued: “So my advice to him is to come back to Christianity and follow the line of Christ. We came all the way to the office of SGF, not through enemies but through Jesus Christ. And Jesus Christ is still alive and still working for us. I wish that he would come back to Christianity.”

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Context of the Controversy

The remarks come amid widespread public debate over Senator Akume’s marriage to Zaynab Otiti Fulani, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. Reports from November 2024 confirmed the union, with Akume, 71, converting to Islam as a prerequisite under Islamic law, given Otiti’s status as a Muslim divorcee from the Yoruba monarch. This development shocked many, as Akume had long been identified as a devout Christian from Benue State, a region with a strong Christian heritage.

Online sources, including Vanguard and Punch newspapers, detailed how the marriage was formalized quietly, sparking social media backlash over Akume’s apparent shift in faith. Critics questioned the implications for his role as SGF, appointed by President Bola Tinubu in 2023, while supporters viewed it as a personal matter. Regina Akume’s intervention marks the first public family response, highlighting tensions over polygamy and religious identity in Nigeria’s diverse polity.

Akume’s Political Profile

George Akume, a former Benue governor (1999–2007) and Senate Minority Leader, has built a career rooted in Tiv Christian values. His appointment as SGF positioned him as a key Tinubu ally, overseeing federal coordination. Regina, an active lawmaker since 2019, focuses on constituency development, women’s empowerment, and education in Benue North-East.

The thanksgiving service underscores family traditions amid national scrutiny. No official response from Senator Akume has emerged as of December 30, 2025.