Zaynab Ngohemba, formerly known as Zaynab Otiti Obanor, has disclosed the reasons behind her marriage to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, stating that the union is built on maturity, shared values, and a mutual commitment to public service rather than spectacle.
The marriage, which became public knowledge on December 26, 2025, has generated widespread attention across Nigeria’s political and social circles, particularly given Zaynab’s previous high-profile marriage to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, which lasted from 2016 to 2017.
In a detailed statement issued through her media aide, David Adeoye, and published by THISDAY newspaper, Zaynab explained that her decision to marry the 72-year-old senior government official was shaped by personal stability, shared values, and a clear understanding of the responsibilities that come with public life.
“It is a partnership shaped by maturity, shared purpose, and an understanding that personal stability strengthens public duty. Especially in an era when public life is often reduced to spectacle, the union of Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and Queen Zaynab Otiti-Obanor offers a different narrative one grounded not in optics, but in service,” the statement read.
Zaynab emphasised that the marriage represents a meeting of two individuals already dedicated to public purpose, rather than a transformation of either party’s identity or values.
“Their partnership represents the meeting of two lives already devoted to public purpose. It is not a reinvention of either individual, but a reinforcement of shared values: humility, discipline, empathy, and responsibility. Queen Zaynab’s work has focused on people rather than positions,” she stated.
The statement further highlighted that the union reflects a deliberate choice based on mutual understanding and a shared commitment to serving others, suggesting that effective leadership should embody humanity and forward-thinking vision.
“At a time when Nigerians increasingly demand integrity and humanity from those in leadership, this union sends a subtle but powerful signal that service is strongest when anchored in personal stability, shared values, and a long view of legacy,” the statement noted.
Zaynab also characterised the marriage as a reminder that genuine societal impact often comes from those who work without fanfare, guided by principles rather than public recognition.
“It is a reminder that the most meaningful contributions to society often come from those who work quietly, guided by values rather than validation,” she said.
The couple made their first public appearance as husband and wife during Akume’s 72nd birthday celebration held in Gboko, Benue State. The event commenced with a thanksgiving service at St John the Baptist Cathedral, providing the couple an opportunity to formally present themselves to the Benue community.
During the celebration, a video that subsequently went viral on social media captured Zaynab addressing residents of Benue State, where she pledged her dedication to their welfare and identified herself as part of the community through her marriage.
“I’m here today not as a visitor but as the daughter of this land, by extension, married to Senator George Akume. He’s the son of this land who has Benue and Nigeria. We understand your pain. I’ll do everything possible so that you’re all back to your normal lives,” Zaynab said in the video, referencing the various challenges facing Benue State residents, including security concerns and economic difficulties.
According to a statement issued by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the SGF, Akume used the birthday occasion to emphasise the importance of accountability across all levels of government as essential to achieving sustainable development in Nigeria.
Bishop Isaac Dugu of the Diocese of Katsina-Ala, speaking on behalf of Bishop William Amove Avenya of the Catholic Diocese of Gboko, described Akume’s birthday celebration as representing a turning point for both Benue State and Nigeria as a whole.
However, the marriage has sparked reactions from various quarters, including from Akume’s first wife, Regina Akume, who currently represents Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Speaking at the wedding reception of Akume’s son, Samuel Aondoakura Akume, which took place in Makurdi, Regina made remarks that appeared to reference her husband’s new marriage, urging him to remain committed to Christianity.
“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. And he should remember that he is a Christian, and it is Christianity that brought him this far,” Regina stated.
She continued, “To drop Christianity now and go for anything else, he will not be successful. So my advice to him is to come back to Christianity and follow the line of Christ.”
The remarks have been interpreted by observers as a subtle commentary on Akume’s marriage to Zaynab, who is Muslim, though Regina did not explicitly mention the new marriage in her public statement.
Senator George Akume has had a distinguished political career spanning several decades. He served as Governor of Benue State from 1999 to 2007, and later represented Benue North-West Senatorial District in the National Assembly. He has been serving as Secretary to the Government of the Federation since President Bola Tinubu appointed him to the position following the 2023 general elections.
Zaynab Ngohemba, before her marriage to Akume, had gained public attention through her brief marriage to the Ooni of Ife, one of the most revered traditional rulers in Yorubaland. Following the end of that marriage in 2017, she has been involved in various humanitarian and public service initiatives, though she has largely maintained a lower public profile compared to her time as a queen.
The marriage between Akume and Zaynab represents one of several high-profile unions involving senior government officials that have attracted public interest in recent years. In Nigeria’s political landscape, such marriages often carry significance beyond the personal, as they can influence political alliances, regional dynamics, and public perception of the individuals involved.
The couple’s public statements emphasising service, maturity, and shared values appear designed to frame the union in terms of its potential contribution to public good rather than as merely a personal or social arrangement.
