Police in Nigeria have warned that any destruction of campaign posters, billboards or banners ahead of the 2027 general elections will be prosecuted, following a series of incidents across the country.
The Nigeria Police Force issued a statement on Monday, with Public Relations Officer CSP Aniete Iniedu saying that “destroying, defacing or unlawfully removing another candidate’s campaign posters and billboards may constitute malicious damage, which is a criminal offence under applicable criminal laws.” The Inspector‑General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has directed commissioners of police in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to investigate reported incidents and arrest those found culpable.
Incidents of vandalism have been reported in several states: in Edo State youths tore down a mini‑billboard featuring NDC presidential and vice‑presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso; in Kano State campaign billboards for President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) were removed; in Adamawa State miscreants vandalised posters of local aspirants; in Delta State the NDC flagged the destruction of its campaign banners; and in Rivers State a billboard belonging to Obi was destroyed.
Police avert clash in Calabar
In Cross River State, police and other security operatives prevented a potential blood‑letting clash between supporters of Obi‑Kwankwaso and APC supporters in Calabar. A meeting organised by the NDC, featuring Obi and his running mate, was to be held at a hotel on Murtala Mohammed Highway near the U.J. Esuene Stadium. APC supporters had also mobilised for a street rally in the same area, and hundreds of Obi‑Kwankwaso supporters blocked the highway in an attempt to stop APC supporters from reaching the venue. Security personnel separated the two groups and diverted the APC crowd away from the hotel, which then restricted access to its premises.
“What we have done is very necessary; otherwise, it would have been a bloody scene,” said a police officer who declined to be named.
Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer ASP Sunday Eitokpah confirmed the incident to Vanguard, saying the command acted to avert a breakdown of law and order.
Police have reiterated that political differences or loyalty to a particular party do not give anyone the right to destroy another candidate’s property or infringe on their right to campaign freely. The Nigeria Police Force has warned that those who choose to break the law will face the full consequences of their actions, and that the democratic process must not be undermined by political intolerance, intimidation or criminal conduct.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
