The Benue State Government has denied claims that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has relocated to the state to oversee military operations against banditry personally.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, the Commissioner for Power and Transport, Matthew Oga, clarified that the Army Chief’s recent visit was purely a personal and official inspection, not a permanent move.
“The visit of the Chief of Army Staff to Benue State was not a relocation. He came on a personal visit. During his visit, he had a closed-door meeting with His Excellency, the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia,” Oga stated.
“He then proceeded to hold an expanded meeting with security heads, after which he visited Naka for an on-the-spot assessment. The next day, he departed and is now back at his office in Abuja.”
According to the commissioner, General Oluyede’s visit brought reassurance and renewed hope to residents of Benue, along with a promise to increase military presence in volatile areas. He emphasized that the Army Chief listened to the concerns of the people and committed to improving military engagement and community relations in tackling insecurity.
Political Rift in Benue APC Addressed
Commenting on calls for a state of emergency in Benue, Oga dismissed such suggestions, attributing them to individuals unwilling to accept the new political leadership in the state under Governor Hyacinth Alia.
“They have not accepted that there has been a leadership shift and that a new sheriff is in town,” he said.
“The APC is a party that embraces diverse interests, and by our structural arrangement, the governor is the party leader in each state.”
Oga also urged former governors and political appointees in Abuja to respect the party’s structure, stressing that Governor Alia is the legitimate leader of the APC in Benue.
“Those who are former governors or who benefited politically from the governor’s rise must accept that leadership in the APC resides with the sitting governor,” Oga added.
He called for unity, noting that internal conflicts stemming from personal ambitions or political overlordship are hindering progress in the state.
“So far, the governor is doing well, and it is incorrect to say he is not aligned with the party. We have consistently witnessed a cordial relationship between the governor and the party leadership,” he concluded.
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