The Benue State Government has debunked claims that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has relocated to Makurdi to personally oversee military operations against banditry in the state.
In an interview on Arise TV on Thursday, the Commissioner for Power and Transport, Matthew Oga, clarified that the Defence Chief’s recent visit was not a deployment, but a personal trip.
“The visit of the Chief of Defence Staff to Benue State was not a relocation. He came on a personal visit,” Oga explained.
He noted that during the visit, General Oluyede met privately with Governor Hyacinth Alia before attending an extended session with security agencies.
Oga further stated that the CDS visited Naka for an on-the-spot assessment of a recent attack before returning to Abuja the following day.
“He is now back in his office in Abuja. His presence brought reassurance and goodwill to the people of Benue. He also pledged to strengthen the military presence in the state and acknowledged our security concerns,” the commissioner said.
Addressing the political climate in the state, Oga dismissed suggestions of a state of emergency, criticizing those promoting the idea as undemocratic and unwilling to accept the leadership of Governor Alia.
“Some individuals have failed to accept that there’s a new sheriff in town,” Oga remarked.
He emphasized that within the APC, leadership in any state rests with the sitting governor, and Governor Alia is no exception.
As a long-standing member of the APC in Benue, Oga urged former governors and other beneficiaries of the current administration to respect the party structure and recognize Governor Alia’s authority.
“Leadership in the APC lies with the governor. Any attempt to usurp that or act as political overlords is inappropriate,” he asserted.
Oga concluded by noting that unity within the party would only be achieved when all elected and appointed officials—both at the federal and state levels—align with the governor’s leadership.
“So far, the governor has enjoyed a harmonious relationship with the party’s leadership, which has been reaffirmed through public votes of confidence,” he added.
