From Abuja Halls to Altar: Zaynab Ngohemba Weds SGF George Akume, Politics or True Love?
In a surprising development that has ignited discussions across Nigeria’s political and traditional spheres, Zaynab Ngohemba, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has openly affirmed her to George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
Describing the union as a “partnership grounded in maturity, stability, and shared commitment to service,” Ngohemba’s statement, released via her media aide and published by ThisDay, positions the marriage not as a radical shift but as an extension of their longstanding public service ethos.
From Royal Palace to Political Powerhouse. Zaynab Ngohemba’s journey from the opulent Ife palace to the corridors of Aso Rock power underscores a narrative of resilience and reinvention.
She wed Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the 50th Ooni of Ife, in a lavish ceremony on March 14, 2016, amid widespread media fanfare.
The union, however, unraveled after just 17 months, with the couple parting ways in 2017.
Official statements at the time cited irreconcilable differences, though palace insiders whispered of cultural clashes and Ngohemba’s reluctance to fully embrace traditional roles.
ALIA’S BIGGEST “PROJECT” IS TO REMOVE AKUME AS SGF
Fast-forward to late 2025: whispers of Ngohemba’s relationship with George Akume, a Benue-born political veteran and President Bola Tinubu’s right-hand man as SGF, began circulating Abuja’s elite circles.
Akume, 72, brings a storied career, former Benue Governor (1999–2007), Senator, and Minister of Special Duties under Buhari, marked by deft maneuvering in Nigeria’s intricate ethnic and partisan politics.
Sources close to the couple confirm the marriage was formalized quietly in mid, December 2025, away from public glare, with a low-key ceremony attended by select family and political allies.
Ngohemba’s media aide, Adeoye, emphasized in the ThisDay statement that the marriage embodies “humility, discipline, empathy, and responsibility.”
He framed it as a model for at a time when Nigerians demand “sincerity, compassion, and integrity” from public figures, suggesting the union bolsters Akume’s image as a leader balancing “empathy with authority.”
Our Correspondent obtained the full statement from ThisDay archives and cross-verified it with Ngohemba’s team.
“This marriage is not a change in direction but a continuation of two lives already dedicated to public service… Personal stability enhances commitment to leadership.”Adeoye further noted the couple’s union “promotes leadership that treats service as a calling rather than a platform.”
This rhetoric aligns with Tinubu’s administration’s push for “renewed hope,” countering criticisms of elite detachment amid economic hardships like soaring inflation and insecurity.
Investigative checks reveal the statement’s timing, mere days after New Year’s, may tie to brewing online skepticism.
Social media erupted with memes and accusations of “palace-to-power opportunism,” questioning if Ngohemba’s royal past lends undue prestige to Akume’s office.
No evidence surfaced of impropriety, but the proactive release suggests damage control.
Ngohemba marries Ooni Ogunwusi in Ife; union hailed as modern-traditional blend. August 2017: Marriage dissolves after 17 months; Ooni cites personal growth needs.
In 2018–2023, Ngohemba maintains low profile, focusing on philanthropy in education and women’s empowerment, per her verified social media.
In May 2023, Akume appointed SGF under Tinubu, solidifying his influence. Mid-2025, Relationship rumors emerge during Akume’s Benue constituency tours.
December 2025, Private marriage ceremony; exact date withheld. January 1, 2026, Statement released via ThisDay, quelling speculation.
Does this marriage raise red flags? Conflicts of Interest, Akume oversees federal policy execution, including traditional institutions via the National Council of Traditional Rulers.
Ngohemba’s Ife ties could invite perceptions of favoritism, especially with Ooni Ogunwusi’s influence in Yoruba politics.
No formal complaints filed, but opposition figures like PDP’s Atiku Abubakar allies have hinted at “elite consolidation.”Public and Traditional Backlash:
In Ife, palace sources express mild discomfort, viewing it as a “closed chapter.”
Online, #ZaynabAkume trends with 50,000+ mentions (Twitter/X data, Jan 2), split between supporters praising “mature love” and critics decrying age gap (Ngohemba 35, Akume 72) and “power plays.” Benue communities largely back it, seeing Ngohemba as a stabilizing force for their “son.”
Ngohemba’s pre-marriage assets trace to modeling and business ventures, per CAC filings.
This union spotlights how personal lives intersect with public office in Nigeria’s high stakes arena.
For Akume, it humanizes a technocrat often critiqued as aloof, potentially aiding Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid by projecting stability.
For Ngohemba, it marks a pivot from royal consort to political consort, amplifying her voice on service-oriented issues.
Yet, in a nation grappling with youth unrest and economic woes, such stories risk fueling cynicism if seen as elite detachment. As Adeoye posits, if the couple delivers “empathy with authority,” it could redefine leadership narratives.
