To promptly elevate the temperature of an exhaust emission control catalyst disposed in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine while restraining the torque fluctuation thereof.

The objective control device is provided with a catalyst temperature elevating means for controlling at least one of intake and exhaust valves in order to elevate the temperature of the exhaust emission control catalyst, an electromagnetically driving valve mechanism for driving at least one of the intake and exhaust valves to open or close by an electromagnetic force, and a torque fluctuation restraining means for controlling the electromagnetically driving valve mechanism to restrain the torque fluctuation of the internal combustion engine when at least one of the intake and exhaust valves is controlled by the catalyst temperature elevating means.