Connect with us

Politics

Kwara Govt Denies Victimising PDP Candidate Over Billboard Removal

Published

on

The Kwara State Government has rejected allegations that it targeted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Bolakale Kawu, after his campaign billboard was removed in Ilorin.

The controversy followed claims by Kawu’s media office that the billboard, located around the Geri Alimi area of the state capital, was dismantled for political reasons.

However, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Communications, Ibraheem Abdullateef, dismissed the allegation on Friday, insisting that the removal had no connection with politics.

Abdullateef said campaign billboards belonging to opposition parties, including the PDP, remained visible in different parts of Ilorin.

“The removal of the PDP gubernatorial candidate’s campaign billboard in Geri Alimi has nothing to do with politics.

There are several campaign billboards of opposition candidates and even PDP across the state capital,” he said.

According to the governor’s aide, the billboard was removed because the advertising company managing the space, identified as Al-Mubarak, allegedly owed the Kwara State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KWASAA) and had been prohibited from operating.

He alleged that despite the ban, the company proceeded to install Kawu’s campaign billboard without securing the lifting of the restriction.

Abdullateef suggested that the incident might have been deliberately turned into a political controversy to portray the state government negatively.

“It appears to be a connivance between the opposition party and the agent just to paint the Kwara State Government bad,” he alleged.

He further pointed to the presence of PDP campaign materials across Ilorin as evidence that the administration was not discriminating against opposition parties.

“We have PDP billboards almost everywhere in the state,” Abdullateef added.

PDP Raises Allegation of Political Oppression
Kawu’s media office had earlier accused the AbdulRazaq administration of political oppression, alleging that the billboard was removed before the expiration of the rental agreement.

The campaign team claimed that its representatives had followed the required procedures, including making payments and engaging the consultants responsible for the advertising space before the billboard was installed.

According to the media office, the billboard was removed after authorities discovered that it carried Kawu’s photograph and political message ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The campaign described the alleged action as unacceptable in a democratic society and called on the state government to provide a level playing field for all political parties and candidates.

Kawu also urged civil society organisations and other stakeholders to speak against what he described as political intimidation.

Despite the removal, his media office maintained that the development would not weaken what it described as growing support for the PDP and former Senate President Bukola Saraki across Kwara State.

KWASAA Explains Billboard Removal
Meanwhile, KWASAA has also denied targeting Kawu or the PDP, saying its action was based on regulatory and compliance issues surrounding the billboard structure and its operator.

In a statement signed by its Press Secretary, Racheal Ajiboye, the agency said the enforcement was not directed at any political party or candidate.

“The enforcement concerns the approval status of the structure and the operator’s outstanding obligations to the Agency. It was not directed at any political party or candidate,” KWASAA stated.

The agency advised Kawu and the PDP to seek clarification from the operator from whom the advertising space was rented.

KWASAA stressed that paying for billboard space did not automatically establish that the structure had received the necessary regulatory approvals or that the operator had fulfilled its obligations.

The agency also raised questions about the installation of an iron framework on a bridge, saying the structure was allegedly erected without its approval or supervision.

According to KWASAA, improperly installed structures could pose risks to road users, making safety considerations an important part of its enforcement activities.

The agency said the safety of residents and protection of public infrastructure remained non-negotiable.

It added that signage regulations would continue to be enforced regardless of the political affiliation of advertisers.

KWASAA therefore advised political parties, candidates and other advertisers to confirm the approval status of billboard structures and the compliance records of operators before making payments or installing campaign materials.

The agency said such checks would help prevent disputes and disruption arising from enforcement actions, while maintaining that it remained available to receive enquiries and complaints from members of the public and stakeholders.

Politics

Ogoni Youths Demand Bori State, Urge Tinubu to Implement Dialogue Report

Published

on

A coalition of Ogoni youth groups has called on President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to implement the recommendations of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, insisting that the creation of Bori State must be given priority in the process.

The Coalition of Ogoni Youth Groups (COYOG) made the demand in a statement jointly signed by 17 youth leaders, including Chief Kpakol Kpakol of the Ogoni National Youth Congress and Gen. Ikeh Albert Jnr of the Khana Youth Assembly, on Saturday.

The coalition warned against attempts by politicians and other vested interests to hijack the dialogue process for personal or political gains, stressing that its outcomes must reflect the collective aspirations of the Ogoni people.

It described the dialogue as a collective struggle for justice, environmental restoration, political inclusion, resource control and sustainable development.

On the leadership of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, COYOG clarified that Professor Don Baridam remains its substantive leader, warning against attempts by individuals to assume authority outside the established structure.

Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful advocacy, the coalition insisted that the dialogue process must remain inclusive and accountable, adding that its recommendations should translate into measurable benefits for the Ogoni people.

“The Ogoni dialogue belongs to the Ogoni people. Its outcomes must serve the Ogoni people. Its implementation must be transparent, inclusive and measurable,” the statement added.

Continue Reading

Politics

Dachung Bagos Wins APC Rerun Primary for Plateau Federal Constituency

Published

on

Former member of the House of Representatives, Dachung Bagos, has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) rerun primary election for the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State.

Bagos defeated his challenger, Esther Simi Dusu, in the rerun exercise conducted across 11 wards on Wednesday, following a court order nullifying the previous primary election over alleged irregularities.

The Chairman of the APC Rerun Electoral Committee, Simon Elisha, announced the results on Thursday at the party’s state secretariat, Kalwa House, in Jos.

According to the results, Bagos polled 12,181 votes to defeat Dusu, who secured 2,495 votes.
Elisha said the rerun election was conducted in compliance with the court order and in accordance with the party’s guidelines.

“The rerun was conducted in compliance with the court order and in line with the party’s guidelines to ensure transparency and fairness,” he said.

The rerun followed a decision by the High Court in Jos to nullify the earlier primary election over alleged irregularities in 11 wards within the federal constituency.

The affected wards are Du, Shen, Zawan ‘B’, Turu, Fobur ‘A’, Fobur ‘B’, Jarawan Kogi, Maijuju/Doss, Federe, Shere East and Shere West.

The court-ordered exercise was organised to address the irregularities identified in the previous primary election and determine the party’s candidate for the constituency.

With his victory, Bagos is set to represent the APC in the contest for the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 general election.

Bagos previously represented the constituency in the House of Representatives.

His emergence as the party’s candidate places him in contention for another term in the Green Chamber, subject to the outcome of the 2027 general election.

Continue Reading

Politics

Peter Obi Warns Those Terrorising Nigeria at Opening of NDC National Secretariat

Published

on

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has warned individuals he accused of terrorising Nigerians, declaring that his party would confront insecurity and intimidation if elected in 2027.

“Those who think they can terrorize this country, wait, we’re coming,” Obi said during the opening of the NDC’s national secretariat in Jabi, Abuja, on Monday, October 26, 2026.

The remark came as the party formally opened its national headquarters and intensified preparations for the 2027 general elections. The event brought together Obi, his running mate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, NDC leaders and other party members.

Obi Puts Insecurity at the Centre of His Message

Obi’s statement signals that security is expected to feature prominently in the NDC’s campaign messaging ahead of the next presidential election.

Nigeria continues to face multiple security challenges, including insurgency, kidnapping, armed attacks and communal violence in different parts of the country. These problems have affected communities, disrupted economic activities and generated demands for stronger protection of lives and property.

At the Abuja event, Obi presented his political project as an effort to change how government responds to the country’s challenges. Reports of his remarks also highlighted commitments to address corruption, poverty, unemployment and insecurity.

However, the brief statement quoted above did not identify a particular group or individual as the target of his warning. It would therefore be premature to attribute the remark to a specific organisation or political opponent without further evidence.

NDC Opens National Headquarters Ahead of 2027

The secretariat opening marked another organisational step for the NDC as it builds its structures ahead of the elections.

The ceremony followed the party’s National Executive Committee meeting and formed part of a wider programme that included unveiling its National Campaign Council and presenting Certificates of Return to candidates contesting different offices.

Kwankwaso, the party’s vice-presidential candidate, attended alongside National Leader Seriake Dickson, National Chairman Moses Cleopas and other party figures.

The new facility is expected to serve as the party’s administrative headquarters and a centre for coordinating its national political activities.

Security and Accountability in the 2027 Campaign

Obi’s warning comes as political parties begin defining their messages for the 2027 election, with security, economic hardship and public accountability among the issues likely to feature prominently.

For voters, the significance of security promises will depend not only on campaign statements but also on the policies, resources and implementation plans candidates present.

Measures to improve security can involve intelligence gathering, police and military capacity, coordination between federal and state authorities, criminal investigations, justice delivery and support for communities affected by violence.

Obi’s statement did not set out specific measures in the quoted passage. Further policy details would be needed to assess how the NDC proposes to address the different forms of insecurity affecting the country.

The remark nevertheless makes clear that the party intends to present security and protection from intimidation as part of its campaign message.

As the 2027 election approaches, the challenge for all political parties will be to explain how their proposals would be implemented and how progress would be measured.

Continue Reading

Trending