SGF Akume’s Wife Publicly Urges Him to ‘Return to Christianity’ Amid Reports of Second Marriage

Regina Akume, a member of the House of Representatives and wife of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator George Akume, has made an emotional public appeal for her husband to “come back to Christianity”, attributing his remarkable political ascent to faith in Jesus Christ.

The plea came during the wedding reception of the SGF’s son in Makurdi on Sunday, December 28, 2025, just days after widespread reports of Senator Akume’s marriage to Queen Zaynab Ngohemba-George, a former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

In a widely circulated video from the event, Mrs Akume prayed for her husband’s long life, health, and wisdom while emphasising the role of Christianity in his journey from humble beginnings to high office—including former governor of Benue State, senator, minister, and now SGF.

“We came all the way to SGF, it is not through any means, but through Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ is still alive and still working, doing things for us,” she said. “I wish that he will come back to Christianity.”

She further cautioned that abandoning the faith would jeopardise future success, stating, “To drop Christianity now, he will not be successful.” Mrs Akume also alluded to family tensions, noting that “the house is now divided into two,” a reference that many interpret as linked to the new marriage and potential implications for the 2027 political cycle.

Senator Akume, a Tiv from Benue State and traditionally identified as Christian, has made no public rebuttal to the remarks. His spokesperson, Yomi Odunuga, confirmed the union with Queen Zaynab but described it as “more than a year old” rather than a recent development, according to Punch Newspapers.

The second marriage was publicly announced on December 26, 2025, via a Facebook post by Abraham Double-D Dajoh, a member of the Akume Dajoh family. The statement welcomed Queen Zaynab “into the Dajoh family” as “his new and uncommon wife”, expressing gratitude to supporters and wishing Nigerians a merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.

Queen Zaynab, previously known as Olori Wuraola during her brief marriage to the Ooni (2016–2017), has a background in humanitarian work and has been linked to other high-profile relationships in the past. No formal divorce between Senator Akume and Regina Akume has been reported.

The comments have sparked intense online discussion, blending issues of faith, marriage customs, and power in Nigeria’s elite circles. Polygamy, while culturally accepted in some communities and Christian denominations, contrasts with mainstream Christian doctrine on monogamous marriage.

Mrs Akume, 71, represents Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency under the All Progressives Congress (APC) and has been married to the SGF for decades. The couple shares several children, including the groom at Sunday’s event.