Police have advised ruling parties and those doing the act to stop or risk being arrested and prosecuted. The police are concerned about the increasing number of attacks and destructions of opposition political party posters and billboards in several states.
Muyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, made note of the illegality of defacing posters and demolishing billboards. He urged political parties and politicians to control their fan base.
With 99 days to the 2023 elections, our state-based journalists observed an upsurge in destruction of campaign billboards and posters, particularly those belonging to the opposing parties, which in some cases resulted in physical altercations.
Usman Baba, the Inspector-General of Police, said he had received allegations that governors were inciting political thugs and subnational security groups operating under their supervision to deface billboards and interfere with other parties’ campaigns.
On Tuesday, the National Peace Committee stated that certain political figures’ behavior had been unsatisfactory. The committee demanded fairness for all parties throughout the campaigns in a statement signed by its chairman, General Abdusalami Abubakar (retd.), the convener, Rev. Matthew Kukah, and the director of the secretariat, Dr. Atta Barkindo.
It was said in the press release, “Towards peaceful election campaigns: Our concerns,” that “abusing the power of incumbency by undermining the efforts of those who are in opposition to the status quo is morally wrong.”
Culled from: Punch Online
URL: https://punchng.com/campaigns-police-to-arrest-prosecute-billboard-poster-vandals/