By Amos Aar
THE GENERAL Manager of the Benue State Urban Development Board (BSUDB), Mr Ternongo Mede, has dismissed allegations that the demolition of a structure housing the Bola Ahmed Tinubu “(BAT) Support Group for Tinubu 2027” in Makurdi, Benue State capital, was politically motivated or targeted at loyalists of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Reacting to social media accusations by supporters of Dr. Mathias Terwase Byuan, who claimed that the demolition was a deliberate attack on political opponents, especially loyal members of a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Mede described the insinuations as false and misleading.
He clarified that the demolished building, located along the busy Makurdi–Apir road, was among several structures pulled down to clear the government’s approved right of way for the ongoing road dualisation project.
According to him, the structure was illegal and the demolition move began since August 2025 after its developer failed to present valid approval documents.
“The exercise is part of an ongoing operation that started around August this year. The construction company handling the road project has been calling on the Urban Development Board to provide the right of way. Because this road passes through the urban area, it is our responsibility to remove any obstruction within the alignment,” Mede explained.
According to him, the affected area included several other premises such as the ADC Secretariat, Sev-Av Foundation, and some uncompleted structures. He said efforts were initially made to avoid sensitive buildings, but the construction company insisted the road 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 cannot be distorted because of the high-tension line. So, I had no choice but to clear the marked structures,” he said.
Responding to claims that compensation should have been paid before the demolition, Mede stressed that the owners of the affected structures were not entitled to any payment because their developments were illegal.
“They are not supposed to be paid compensation because they built without approval. I keep telling people that if you want to develop any property, you must obtain a permit from the board. Any illegal structure can be removed at any time without compensation,” he maintained.
On accusations that the action was politically motivated and aimed at weakening Tinubu’s APC structures in Benue, the Urban Development boss said there was no political undertone to the exercise.
“When I got there, I saw that what was earlier a foundation for a private development had suddenly turned into a campaign office with Tinubu’s posters. I feel Tinubu does not engage in illegality, so people should not drag his name into it. That structure was illegal, and apart from that, it was located at a dangerous junction that often records serious accidents. You can’t put a political office at such a spot where large gatherings will block traffic,” he stated.
He also explained why some filling stations along the road were spared while other buildings were affected, noting that all filling stations have valid approvals and will only be demolished after they have been compensated.
“I was instructed not to touch any filling station for now because we have not concluded compensation arrangements with them. Every filling station standing has an approval,” Mede clarified.
On the relocation of traders at the Makurdi Rice Mill, he said the board had finished the design of a new site for them and forwarded it to the Ministry of Works, Housing, and Urban Development for necessary action. He added that the site was swampy but would soon be cleared and stabilized for use.
Mede appealed to residents to always obtain building permits before commencing any construction, warning that illegal structures within urban areas would continue to be removed in line with state development laws.
“I’m appealing to the public: before you carry out any development, seek approval from the board. Also, engage qualified professionals in the built environment and not quacks. That is the only way to avoid losses when development control activities are carried out,” he advised.
