By Sar Terver
The General Manager of the Benue State Urban Development Board, Ternongo Mede, has denied allegations that the recent demolition of a building used by the Ahmed Bola Tinubu (ABT) Support Group for Tinubu 2027 in Makurdi was politically motivated or targeted at loyalists of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Reacting to claims circulating on social media by supporters of Dr. Mathias Terwase Byuan, who alleged that the demolition was an orchestrated attack on a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Mede described the accusations as false and misleading.
He explained that the demolished structure, located along the busy Makurdi–Apir road, was among several buildings cleared to make way for an ongoing road dualization project. According to him, the building was erected without official approval and had long been marked for removal.
“The exercise is part of an ongoing operation that began in August this year. The construction company handling the road project requested that we clear the approved right of way. Since the road passes through the urban area, it is our duty to remove any obstruction within the alignment,” Mede said.
He disclosed that several other structures, including the ADC Secretariat, Sev-Av Foundation, and some uncompleted buildings, were affected in the exercise.
The government official said efforts were initially made to spare certain buildings, but the road engineers insisted that the alignment could not be altered due to high-tension cables on the opposite side.
“Initially, I wanted to avoid some of those places, but the engineers told me the alignment could not be distorted because of the high-tension line, so I had no choice but to clear all marked structures,” he added.
Responding to demands for compensation, the Urban Development Board boss emphasized that owners of illegal structures were not entitled to any payment.
“They are not supposed to be paid compensation because they built without approval. I have repeatedly told people to obtain permits from the board before developing any property. Any structure built illegally can be removed at any time without compensation,” he said.
Mede dismissed suggestions that the demolition was politically driven, insisting that the board was simply enforcing urban development laws.
“When I arrived at the site, I noticed that what had earlier been a private foundation had suddenly been converted into a campaign office with Tinubu’s posters.
“The approval was for Jenkins foundation and not a campaign office that will be attracting a crowd in that can of area.
“I believe President Tinubu does not associate with illegality, so people should not drag his name into it. That structure was illegal and located at a dangerous junction that has recorded several accidents. You can’t put a political office in such a spot where gatherings could block traffic,” he stated.
He also clarified why some filling stations along the road were left untouched, explaining that they all had valid approvals and would only be affected after compensation processes were completed.
“I was instructed not to touch any filling station for now because compensation arrangements are still ongoing. Every filling station still standing has proper approval,” Mede explained.
On the relocation of traders at the Makurdi Rice Mill, he said the board had completed designs for a new site and forwarded them to the Ministry of Works, Housing, and Urban Development. He added that although the area is swampy, it would soon be cleared and stabilized for use.
Mede appealed to residents to always seek approval before erecting structures and to engage qualified professionals to avoid losses when development control operations are carried out.
“I’m appealing to the public: before you carry out any development, seek approval from the board and use qualified professionals, not quacks. That’s the only way to prevent future losses,” he advised.
However, in a swift rebuttal, Mr. Barth Anjembe, Media Aide to Dr. Mathias Byuan, faulted the demolition and insisted that the building was duly approved by the government.
In a Facebook post titled “Demolition of ABT Campaign Office: Benue State Government’s Deception Exposed”, Anjembe claimed that the ABT headquarters, which was recently commissioned, possessed both the necessary building approvals from the Benue State Urban Development Board and a valid Certificate of Occupancy (CofO).
He further alleged that payments and receipts dated October 6, 2025, confirmed the building’s compliance with all urban development requirements, describing the demolition as unjustified and politically suspect.
