The gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the September governorship election in the state, Olumide Akpata, has accused agents of the Edo State government of destroying its campaign billboards erected across the state.
Briefing newsmen in Benin City on the incessant destruction/pulling down of the LP gubernatorial candidate’s campaign billboards in parts of the state capital, Akpata said, “You cannot rule out the fact that some persons in the state are taking advantage of the impasse rocking the party to perpetrate what he tagged as ‘heinous crime’.
“We (LP) are being targeted, and we must resist it.”
Akpata alleged that the Obaseki-led ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, colluding with some LGA chairmen in two Local Government Councils, were behind the destruction of his campaign materials and billboards, which he said amounts to vandalism.
Insisting that the opposition PDP is uncomfortable with his (LP) campaign billboards’ visibility in the state, Akpata said the Edo LP members and supporters have been alerted to secure all its campaign materials, including billboards, to put an end to the wanton destruction of its campaign billboards, which he called “criminal and barbaric.”
“Billboards that I, as a law-abiding citizen and a gubernatorial candidate, legally paid for and erected across the length and breadth of Benin City, have come under attack from the Local Government Areas, who are agents of the incumbent governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.
“By resorting to the unbridled destruction of my campaign materials that I have legally and legitimately paid for with my hard-earned resources, Governor Obaseki and his handlers have clearly shown themselves to be anti-democratic forces intolerant of divergent voices, dissenting opinions, and the fundamental principles of pluralism that undergird any true democracy worth the name,” Akpata said.
Reacting in a statement, Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, urged the LP gubernatorial candidate to engage with the relevant agencies responsible for the management of signage to settle any outstanding bills or disputes.
“We acknowledge the concerns raised by Mr. Olumide Akpata regarding the removal of his campaign billboards. The Edo State Government condemns any form of vandalism and urges all parties involved to address such issues through proper channels.
“While we understand Mr Akpata’s frustration, we encourage him to engage with the relevant agencies responsible for the management of signage to settle any outstanding bills or disputes,” Nehikhare said.
