Benue govt demolishes newly inaugurated Tinubu campaign office
Some officials of the Benue State Urban Development Board have demolished part of the campaign office of President Bola Tinubu in Makurdi, Benue State
The building, which also serves as the state secretariat of the Ahmed Bola Tinubu Support Group, had its perimeter fence pulled down during the operation, said to have occurred on Thursday.
The campaign office was inaugurated last week at a ceremony attended by supporters from Benue and neighbouring North-Central states.
The event was convened by Dr Mathias Byuan, Executive Director of Housing, Finance, and Accounts at the Federal Housing Authority, who also serves as the National Coordinator of the support group.
In a reaction to the development, Dr Tarnongo Simon, Director-General of the President Ahmed Bola Tinubu Support Group, condemned the demolition, describing it as “uncalled for.”
He said the secretariat had a valid Certificate of Occupancy and an approved building plan issued by the Benue State Urban Development Board, wondering why it was targeted.
“We came into the office this morning to work, and these people just came and started demolishing the building. They didn’t tell us anything.
“This action is condemnable because it is uncalled for.
However, the demolition will not deter our commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our vision for a stronger North Central,” he said.
But the Benue State Government denied any political undertone in the incident.
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Kula Tersoo, the government said Governor Hyacinth Alia was not behind the demolition and accused the group of misrepresenting an ongoing road dualization exercise as political persecution.
According to him, the removal of structures along the Wurukum–Yaikyor–Apir–Ikpayongo axis is part of the Federal Government-backed Makurdi–Enugu highway dualization project.
The statement explained that affected properties were assessed, and owners of legitimate buildings with proper approvals were compensated, while those without approval or built on the right of way were directed to vacate.
“It is mischievous for anyone whose property has been marked for lawful demolition to politicise the process by repainting, mounting billboards or posting the image or name of any leader on such structures to stir sentiment or blackmail the government,” the statement read.
Tersoo noted that the demolition exercise covers the stretch of road from Makurdi to the Benue–Enugu boundary.
He urged the public to disregard “false narratives by merchants of deceit,” stressing that the exercise is part of infrastructural renewal and not victimisation.
The demolition has, however, revived tensions between Governor Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
Many of the key promoters of the Tinubu support group in the state are reportedly loyalists of the SGF, fuelling speculation that the action may have a political context despite official denials.
