Part of President Bola Tinubu’s campaign office in Makurdi, Benue State, was on Thursday demolished by officials of the Benue State Urban Development Board, sparking outrage from members of the Ahmed Bola Tinubu Support Group.
Naijaonpoint reports that the structure, which also serves as the state secretariat of the support group, had its perimeter fence pulled down during the exercise.
The demolished office was inaugurated only last week in a ceremony attended by supporters from across 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 and National Coordinator of the group.
Reacting to the demolition, the Director-General of the support group, Dr. Tarnongo Simon, described the action as unjustifiable.
“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 stated.
Simon maintained that the secretariat had a valid Certificate of Occupancy and an approved building plan issued by the same urban development board.
No Political Motive, Structure Was On Right Of Way – Benue Govt
But the Benue State Government dismissed claims of political victimisation, insisting the demolition was carried out strictly under an ongoing road project.
In a statement by Governor Hyacinth Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, the government said the removal of structures in the area is part of the Wurukum–Yaikyor–Apir–Ikpayongo road expansion under the Makurdi–Enugu highway dualisation, a project backed by the Federal Government.
According to the statement, affected buildings were assessed, owners with legitimate approvals were compensated, and structures built without approval or on the designated right-of-way were marked for removal.
“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,” Tersoo said.
He added that the demolition extends along the entire road stretch up to the Benue–Enugu boundary, urging the public to ignore what he described as “false narratives by merchants of deceit.”
Despite government denials, the incident has reignited tensions between Governor Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
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