NDC Kicks as Edo Govt Pulls Down Obi, Kwankwaso Campaign Banners

The Nigeria Democratic Congress(NDC) has protested the removal of campaign banners featuring its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, from a billboard in Benin City, Edo State.

The Edo State Signage and Advertising Regulatory Agency removed the materials from a billboard at Stadium Road Junction along Ekenwan Road. The action reportedly followed an earlier attempt by agency officials to remove the banners, which residents resisted.

The agency’s taskforce returned on Wednesday in about three Sienna vehicles and pulled down the campaign materials.

Frank Uyi Omosigho, who represents Oredo East Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly and is the NDC candidate for Oredo Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, condemned the development.

He described the removal as part of what he alleged was a growing pattern of attacks on the party’s campaign materials in Oredo. According to him, the billboard displayed the party’s leading candidates in a public space where political parties should be able to reach voters, subject to relevant regulations.

“The latest incident was part of a wider pattern of attacks on NDC campaign materials in Oredo, including the destruction of my campaign billboards and posters at different locations,” Omosigho said.

The lawmaker also alleged that his campaign office had come under attack, warning that such incidents could undermine peaceful political participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He argued that political competition should focus on policy proposals, candidates’ programmes and their ability to win voters’ confidence rather than the destruction of campaign materials.

“Political contests should be about ideas, programmes, competence and the ability of candidates to win the confidence of the electorate, rather than the destruction of opponents’ campaign materials,” he said.

Omosigho maintained that the party would not be intimidated by the incidents. He urged authorities to address any concerns about billboard placement through established legal and regulatory procedures.

“We are not afraid of any political contest. If there are concerns about the location or regulation of a billboard, there are lawful procedures for addressing such concerns,” he added.

However, an official of the signage agency said the removal followed the failure of those responsible for the advertisement to regularise its placement with the agency.

“The advert materials were removed because the owners had yet to regularise its placement on the billboard with the agency,” the official said.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity, explaining that he was not authorised to comment publicly on the matter. He advised the affected party to visit the agency’s office to resolve the issue and comply with the relevant requirements.

The agency’s explanation places the dispute within the framework of billboard regulation, while Omosigho’s allegations raise concerns about the treatment of opposition campaign materials in the state.

The incident comes ahead of the 2027 general elections, as political parties prepare to reach voters and promote their candidates. The competing accounts highlight the need to clarify whether the removal stemmed solely from regulatory non-compliance or involved wider political concerns.