By EMMANUEL ANTSWEN

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Emmanuel Shior, on Sunday, accused the Benue Government of illegally demolishing his business property in Makurdi, the state capital.

Shior made the accusations in a statement signed by his media aide, Mr. Tivta Aondohemba, and made available to newsmen in Makurdi.

The PDP chieftain said Verlush Restaurant and Lounge, his business centre, was demolished between 5:30pm and 6pm on Thursday evening.

Shior, who is a 2027 House of Representatives aspirant for the Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency, said that the demolished structure was approved by the Benue State Urban Development Board (BSUDB).

He explained further that the Board, the Benue Internal Revenue Service and the Makurdi Local Government all collect revenue from the lounge.

The PDP chieftain also said that staff of the restaurant were not allowed to remove equipment, documents, or any items before the operation began.

He described the exercise as selective, claiming that other businesses in the same area, including Star Shawarma, were left untouched.

But BSUDB acting General Manager, Mr. Ternongo Mede, said the board served owners of Verlush Restaurant and Lounge before carrying out the exercise.

Mede stated that the owners were duly served.

“We served them notice on the 20th of this month (November 2025). We went there, marked the structure, and issued a demolition notice,” Mede said. (NAN)