By Janet Bassey (Governance Reporter)
After over one year of living together as couple, former governor of Benue state and Nigeria’s current Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, on the eve of Christmas, wedded his newest heartthrob, Queen Zaynab Ngohemba Akume, an ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja the 11.
Details of the marriage became public on Friday, December 26, 2025, through a social media post shared by Abraham Double-d Dajoh, a Facebook user and member of the Dajoh family, who announced the marriage in a celebratory tone.
Dajoh, in the post, confirmed that Akume, a Tiv native and a Senator who represented Benue North on the platform of both the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and All Progressive Congress (APC), had formalized his union with the former Olori of the Ife Kingdom. He describing it as a significant and joyful development for the Dajoh family.
However, welcoming Queen Zaynab into their lineage in Benue State, the Dajoh family characterized the marriage as both rare and admirable, expressing pride in embracing her as one of their own.
The family in a message that gained widespread attention online, shared their happiness and marked the occasion as a new and meaningful phase in the life of the SGF, Senator George Akume and his household.
According to the message, “We, the entire Dajoh Family, happily join our daddy, uncle and brother, His Excellency, The Secretary To The Government Of The Federation, Sen. George Akume Jugu Dajoh in welcoming his new and uncommon wife, Queen Zaynab Ngohemba-George Akume Dajoh, into the Dajoh family,” the post read.
Basking in the joy of the marriage, the family also used the opportunity to acknowledge the political allies and supporters of Senator Akume, encouraging them to continue offering their backing as he moves forward in this personal chapter of his life.
“We appreciate and thank the fans and supporters of Sen. Akume for always standing by him. We enjoin every one of you to continue to support his Excellency even in this beautiful union with Queen Zaynab,” the post further read.
Highlighted their deep ancestral heritage in Mbakor and across Benue State, the Dajoh family underscored the importance of tradition and identity in the marriage.
“Welcome to Benue State, the Food Basket of the Nation, welcome to Mbakor, the seat of leadership of the Tiv nation and welcome to the Dajoh family, the home of your darling husband. Welcome home, Queen Zaynab,” the statement concluded.
The announcement came during the festive season, with the family extending goodwill messages to Nigerians nationwide.
“We wish you all a happy Christmas Celebration and a Prosperous New Year,” the post read.
Senator Akume, a former governor of Benue State, currently occupies a prominent position in President Bola Tinubu’s administration, making the news of his marriage a subject of wide public interest.
The development has generated strong reactions across social and political circles, given Queen Zaynab’s profile as a humanitarian and former royal figure.
Akume’s media spokesperson, Yomi Odunuga, while confirming the marriage, however clarified reports surrounding the timing of the wedding, noting that it did not take place recently.
Said Odunuga: “I can confirm the marriage. However, contrary to the rumour that the marriage was concretised in Gboko on Christmas eve when the couple appeared together at an event to celebrate Christmas, it was actually a marriage that is over a year old". (additional report from the street journal news). NNL.