Acting Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Benue State, Rev. Jonathan Terwase Ugbede, has dismissed claims that Governor Hyacinth Alia is planning to demolish the CAN secretariat in the state.
Reacting to reports circulating on social media and other platforms, Ugbede described the allegation as false and baseless. He insisted that the governor had never considered demolishing the secretariat.
The CAN chairman welcomed the governor’s swift response to the rumour, noting that the Benue State Government had already denied the claim.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Solomon Iorpev, the state government described the publication as malicious, false and completely detached from the truth.
The statement said Governor Alia, whom it described as a proud product of the Church, has consistently shown respect for religious institutions and maintained a strong partnership with CAN. It added that no plan to demolish the secretariat had been conceived, discussed or contemplated by the government.
Ugbede thanked Governor Alia for promptly addressing the allegation and urged politicians not to drag the Church into partisan politics.
He also said the governor has continued to support CAN activities and has assisted in paying the medical bills of many Christians, helping beneficiaries regain their health.
The acting CAN chairman called on those behind the rumour to stop spreading false information capable of creating tension in the state. He questioned the motive of those fabricating and circulating such stories.
He urged Christians in Benue not to panic but to ignore the report, describing it as a deliberate attempt to sow discord between the Church and the state government.
Ugbede further appealed to the Christian community to continue praying for Governor Alia and support his administration to enable it to deliver more development for the people of Benue State.
He assured the governor that the Church in Benue remained united and that the fake report had not affected its relationship with his administration, stressing that the Church’s support for Governor Alia remains unwavering.
