The Edo State branch of the Labour Party (LP) issued a warning on Friday about the potential for anarchy leading up to the gubernatorial election on September 21st in the state. This concern arose due to the ongoing destruction of the party’s campaign billboards in Benin, the state capital, allegedly carried out by individuals associated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
During a press conference in Benin, the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata, expressed his distress and outrage at the undemocratic and authoritarian tactics being employed by the current administration to undermine their campaign and suppress the voices of the people.
Akpata highlighted a series of deliberate and coordinated attacks on their constitutionally protected rights to free speech, political expression, and the core principles of democracy itself. He emphasized that billboards, which he lawfully financed and erected throughout Benin City, have been targeted by agents of the incumbent governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.
Specifically, Akpata noted that in the Oredo Local Government Area, two of their billboards were maliciously vandalized, defaced, and ultimately removed with threats of further destruction. Similar incidents occurred in Ovia North East, where additional billboards featuring campaign messages were callously destroyed. In Ikpoba Okha, the campaign team was warned of impending attacks on their billboards.
Akpata stated that he has reported these troubling occurrences to the state Commissioner of Police, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 5, and the Inspector General of Police.
In response, the state government, through a statement issued by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, acknowledged Akpata’s concerns regarding the removal of his campaign billboards. The Edo State Government denounced all forms of vandalism and urged all parties involved to address such issues through appropriate channels.
