‘There’s no difference between Abuja and Ado LG at night’ – Sunny Oche

Barely two years after assuming office as Executive Chairman of Ado Local Government Area, Hon. Engr. Sunny Oche says his administration has restored security, attracted over ₦30 billion in investments and laid the foundation for economic revival in the border council.

In this exclusive interview with Idoma TV, Oche speaks on the return of Chinese investors to the moribund Owukpa Smelting Industry, infrastructure projects, the controversy surrounding the distribution of BIPC products, Governor Hyacinth Alia’s performance in Benue South, the politics of 2027, and why he believes many people in Zone C have failed to appreciate the governor’s achievements. Justice Emmanuel Onahi brings the excerpts.

It’s been nice having you as the Executive Chairman of Ado Local Government, and we’ve been hearing a whole lot of good news. But it is always better to hear from the horse’s mouth. Roughly, you’ve spent about two years in office, if I’m correct. What are those achievements you can confidently point to—those things you can proudly say the people of Ado have benefited from under your leadership, sir?

Thank you very much.

First of all, let me appreciate the house for giving me the opportunity to be on this programme.

We came into office in October 2024, so it’s almost our second year, though not quite yet.

When we came in, we faced a lot of challenges, especially insecurity. As you know, the primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property. That was our most pressing challenge.

Through the support of His Excellency, the Governor of Benue State, we established and funded a security outfit with vehicles, motorcycles and other operational equipment. With that support, we were able to push back insecurity and bring the conflict to an end.

Having addressed the security situation, we turned our attention to restoring confidence among local government staff. We provided new office furniture. You can imagine that since the establishment of the local government in the 1970s, the secretariat had never received new furniture.

We also embarked on the renovation of dilapidated sections of the local government secretariat and ensured the entire environment was kept in good sanitary condition.

From there, we focused on primary healthcare by providing solar-powered refrigerators for the storage of drugs.

We also commenced the construction of the Igumale–Agila Road, a project worth over ₦1 billion. As I speak, the project is at its final stage.

More recently, we embarked on the installation of massive solar streetlights across the various wards. As it stands now, there is virtually no hiding place for criminals, whether during the day or at night.

We have also received tremendous support from His Excellency, the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia.

Sir, you talked about insecurity. You mentioned earlier that, with the support of His Excellency, the Governor of Benue State, you’ve been able to significantly reduce insecurity in Ado Local Government. Can you confidently say visitors are welcome to Ado anytime?

Yes, of course. Visitors are welcome anytime.

That is evident in the investors who are already coming into Ado. Last year, a group of Chinese investors visited to prospect for mineral resources, particularly gemstones.

They were well accommodated and were very pleased with what they saw. They took some samples with them, and we are expecting them back very soon.

As I speak, the moribund Igumale Cement Industry is about to resume operations. His Excellency has shown great interest in the project, and the Chinese investors are returning.

One of the reasons they left in the first place was insecurity.

So now the security challenge has been addressed, sir?

Yes, it has been taken care of, and they are now very confident.

The good thing is that the company shares the same vicinity with a military base established under Operation Whirl Stroke. So, we now have multiple layers of fully functional security.

With all these measures you’ve put in place, are the people really happy with your administration?

Absolutely. They are very happy.

They are also very happy with the administration of His Excellency, the Governor of Benue State, and they are willing to continue working with him.

In fact, as things stand, he is our only choice for 2027.

So, you’re saying the people of Ado fully support the governor, sir?

One hundred percent.

In fact, I would say Ado is the most favoured local government in Benue State. The investments made in Ado since I assumed office amount to over ₦30 billion.

Only in Ado Local Government, sir?

Yes. We can show you the records. I’m not making it up.

Sir, the access road you mentioned earlier—is the state government supporting that project?

Of course. The governor is fully backing it.

We signed the contract through the Bureau for Special Infrastructure, and the governor has been funding it steadily.

Just last week, I signed another contract for a five-kilometre road network across various communities in Ado Local Government. The contract is worth over ₦6 billion, and work will commence within the next few weeks.

It will be the first time streets in Ado will be properly constructed to modern standards.

We’ll definitely send some of our correspondents to inspect the project, sir. I hope you’ll be happy to receive them.

Absolutely. You are welcome.

Once work begins, I’ll personally invite you.

A few weeks ago, one of your correspondents visited Ado at night and saw the solar streetlights. Today, there’s hardly any difference between Abuja and Ado at night because everywhere is well lit.

Sir, there’s something that has been trending on social media. It happened in your local government, where people were seen sharing bread and Oyi Bitters drinks. Who was behind that? Since it happened in your local government, you should know exactly what transpired.

Oh my God.

Many Nigerians have questioned the incident. Some believe there was more to it than simply sharing bread and Oyi Bitters.

Okay. But the real objective of that gathering has not been properly explained.

It was a high-powered delegation sent by His Excellency, the Governor of Benue State, to inspect and assess what remains of the moribund Igumale Cement Industry.

The delegation was led by the Deputy Governor, Chief Dr. Sam Ode, and included the Managing Director of the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC).

The Managing Director decided that, since they were there, it would also be an opportunity to showcase some of the products being produced by the company. So, he came with those products.

Sir, are you saying the bread and Oyi Bitters drinks were products of BIPC?

Yes. Those were some of the products they brought. That’s the government for you. Indirectly, we’re consuming products made in our own state.

Governor Alia is industrialising Benue State. Production is going on in Benue, but I don’t know why some people don’t want to see what is really happening.

As long as people continue looking at everything from a negative perspective, they’ll keep getting it wrong.

Today, we have food and beverage industries operating. We have different factories functioning across the state, in addition to the construction projects.

As an engineer, especially in process engineering, I understand the importance of industrial development. These are the kinds of investments that boost the economy.

So, when people say we were distributing bread and Oyi Bitters, what’s wrong with that? After eating bread, you can have a bottle of Oyi Bitters to relax. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with it.

We were there primarily to enable His Excellency assess what remains of the old smelting industry and determine how investors can return.

People keep saying the governor is not doing anything. Now that he has come to work, they are still looking only at the negative side.

If they visited my people and brought bread and quality drinks after the event, what exactly is wrong with that?

You mentioned His Excellency, the Governor. Sir, as an engineer by profession and now the Executive Chairman of Ado Local Government, the people of Zone C generally are saying Governor Hyacinth Alia has failed them, particularly in the area of insecurity.

From everything you’ve explained, it appears you’re working closely with the governor to ensure Ado is safe, attract investment and improve development. Why then do you think some people in Zone C still say the governor has failed on insecurity? A lot has been trending on social media lately.

Because they have failed to see the positive side of the governor’s performance.

Take, for instance, the Igumale Cement Industry. It had been abandoned for about 30 years. Different administrations came and went, but the Chinese company never indicated any interest in returning because of insecurity.

This time around, they informed the government that they are willing to come back because they are now convinced that Zone C, particularly Ado Local Government, is safe for business.

I have already explained how the governor established a very robust security architecture in Ado Local Government. He has done the same in several other local governments across Benue State. Specifically, he has strengthened security in Apa, Agatu and Otukpo.

Security remains a challenge across the country, but I can confidently tell you that the governor is doing a lot to ensure Benue State has one of the best security architectures possible.

Alright, sir. Thank you very much. We’ll move away from that now to your personal political career. Are you willing to stop at the level of local government chairman, or should we expect to see you aiming for higher office?

Well, of course, you know my background. Before becoming chairman, I held positions that were even higher than this.

But I’m happy where I am today. As a politician, however, you always aspire to move higher. For now, my priority is to work hard and satisfy the people.

That’s good, sir. Thank you very much. Once again, you’re welcome.

Thank you.

Sir, a lot has been circulating on social media lately that Governor Hyacinth Alia has neglected the good people of Zone C. Many people claim there have been no significant appointments for the zone. Looking at the recent appointments, they argue that only a few people from Zone C were considered, while most appointments went to Zones A and B. Some are asking whether Zones A and B are the only parts of Benue State.From all these controversies surrounding His Excellency, the Governor, how would you convince the people of Zone C to continue trusting him and support him for a second term, sir?

Let me tell you, this is the handiwork of the opposition. They are simply saying these things to mislead the public.

The governor has done a lot. Let me start with infrastructure.

I just told you about the road construction going on in Ado. In Ado alone, the government has invested over ₦25 billion in road construction.

There is another road project from Agatu towards the western axis, with a contract value of over ₦19 billion. That project is ongoing.

Then there is the Oju–Awajir Road, which is also under construction.

These infrastructural projects are there for everyone to see.

If you come to Otukpo, for instance, the community had been without a reliable water supply for a long time, but today that has changed.

The Commissioner for Water Resources is from Zone C. The Commissioner for Finance is from Zone C. The Commissioner for Education is also from Zone C.

Recently, the Head of Service was appointed from Zone C.

These are key positions that have been given to the zone.

We also have the Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly from Zone C. She is from Ado Local Government.

So, whoever says appointments have been lopsided is not being fair to the governor.

We have three zones in Benue State—Zones A, B and C—and the governor has distributed appointments equitably among them.

So, are you confidently saying that the people of Zone C can vote him back into office, sir?

Yes.

In fact, with recent developments, I believe the people of Zone C are beginning to realise why they should support him, considering the projects that have been executed and those that are still underway. Also, His Excellency is a detribalised Nigerian.

So, this narrative that Zone C has been shortchanged is simply the handiwork of the opposition.

Sir, some people are talking about defections within the APC.

From APC to APC? The APC is one family.

By the time we conclude the process of selecting our candidates during the primaries, everyone will come back together.

We will remain one big family, united under the leadership of the governor.

Of course, he is the leader of the APC in Benue State.