APC Accuses Adeleke of Suppressing Opposition Over Billboard Ban

 

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of using state power to stifle opposition activities ahead of next year’s governorship election.

The party described as oppressive and unlawful an alleged directive by the state government banning the erection and display of APC billboards in parts of Osogbo, warning that such action would be resisted through lawful means.

In a statement issued on Friday by the party’s spokesman, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, the APC said the directive was aimed at frustrating the campaign of its governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.

The statement, signed by the state chairman, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, alleged that the Adeleke administration instructed the Osun State Signage Agency (O’Signage) not to approve the erection or pasting of APC billboards within Osogbo metropolis, particularly from Akoda to Osogbo City Stadium, within a specified period leading to the election.

According to the APC, further investigations revealed that the state government allegedly directed O’Signage to identify owners of existing billboards in Osogbo and compensate them for a period of three years per billboard, a move the party described as anti-social and undemocratic.

The APC alleged that the directive was borne out of fear of imminent electoral defeat, insisting that the ruling administration was attempting to misuse incumbency power to create an uneven playing field.

“The earlier Governor Adeleke and his co-travellers realise that their ploy to hold down the hands of our governorship candidate can neither fly nor sit, the better for them,” the statement read.

The party said the directive was inconsistent with the regulations of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), formerly APCON, which is responsible for regulating advertising standards in the country.

It urged those behind the alleged decision to retrace their steps, warning that such actions were capable of undermining democratic norms and fair political competition.

The APC also said it had put statutory security agencies in the state, including the Police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), on notice to be aware of the situation and intervene when necessary.

Reaffirming its confidence ahead of the election, the APC said no amount of what it described as anti-democratic tactics would stop its candidate from emerging victorious at the polls.

“The good people of Osun State are tired of missteps and misgovernance that have continued to attract negative attention to the state,” the party added.