Part of President Bola Tinubu’s campaign office in Makurdi, Benue State, was demolished on Thursday by officials of the Benue State Urban Development Board, triggering outrage among members of the Ahmed Bola Tinubu Support Group.
Gossip News Now reports that the affected structure, which also serves as the state secretariat of the support group, had its perimeter fence pulled down during the demolition exercise.
The office, inaugurated just last week, hosted supporters from across Benue and other North-Central states in an event organised by Dr. Mathias Byuan, Executive Director of Housing, Finance, and Accounts at the Federal Housing Authority, who also serves as the group’s National Coordinator.
Reacting to the incident, the group’s Director-General, Dr. Tarnongo Simon, condemned the demolition, describing it as unjustified and politically motivated.
“We came to the office this morning to work, and suddenly, these people arrived and began demolishing the building without any notice.
This action is condemnable and uncalled for. However, it will not weaken our commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or our mission to strengthen the North Central,” he said.
Simon further claimed that the secretariat had a valid Certificate of Occupancy and an approved building plan issued by the same urban development authority.
Benue Govt Denies Political Motive, Cites Ongoing Road Project
In response, the Benue State Government denied any political undertone, insisting the demolition was part of an ongoing road expansion project.
A statement issued by Kula Tersoo, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, explained that the structure was situated along the Wurukum–Yaikyor–Apir–Ikpayongo road corridor under the Makurdi–Enugu highway dualisation project, which is backed by the Federal Government.
According to the statement, the affected buildings had been properly assessed, and those with legitimate approvals received compensation. Structures built without approval or on the designated right-of-way were marked for removal.
“It is mischievous for anyone whose property was marked for lawful demolition to politicise the process by repainting, mounting billboards, or using the image of any leader to stir public sentiment or blackmail the government,” Tersoo said.
He added that the exercise would continue along the entire road stretch up to the Benue–Enugu boundary, urging the public to disregard what he termed “false narratives by merchants of deceit.”
Despite the government’s explanation, the demolition has rekindled tensions between Governor Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, deepening divisions within the state’s political landscape.
