The Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to comply with the law regarding billboard permits and clearance. The APC stated that the PDP should obtain a permit from the Signage and Advertisement Agency and clearance from the Urban Development Board, as well as pay the prescribed fees. This advice comes amid a disagreement between the two parties over the use of billboards for campaign purposes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The APC's call for compliance with the law was in response to accusations by the PDP that Governor Hyacinth Alia's administration was attempting to cripple the opposition's campaign efforts. The PDP claimed that the government's directive on billboard permits was a plot to restrict their ability to campaign. However, the APC's State Publicity Secretary, Benedict Yawe, denied these allegations, stating that the ruling party and its candidates would obtain the necessary permits and clearance for their campaign billboards.
According to Yawe, the Benue State laws are clear on the requirements for erecting billboards, and all parties, including the PDP, must comply. He emphasized that the APC has instructed its candidates to obtain the necessary permits and clearance, and that the PDP should do the same. Yawe also alleged that the PDP is not a strong contender in Benue State and is seeking sympathy through false alarms.
The Benue State Government had issued a two-week ultimatum to political parties, individuals, and groups to obtain the necessary permits and clearance for their billboards. The government warned that failure to comply would result in the removal of the billboards, with enforcement set to commence on October 20, 2026. The government's directive was issued by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev.
In response to the government's directive, the PDP's State Publicity Secretary, Bright Yima Antyo, stated that any selective removal of opposition campaign materials would be seen as an attack on democratic freedoms. Antyo claimed that such actions would be a misuse of state institutions for partisan purposes. The PDP's statement suggests that the party is concerned about the potential for bias in the enforcement of the government's directive.
The disagreement between the APC and PDP over billboard permits and clearance highlights the tensions between the two parties ahead of the 2027 elections. The APC's insistence on compliance with the law, while the PDP accuses the government of trying to restrict their campaign efforts, suggests that the election campaign is likely to be contentious. The government's directive on billboard permits is seen as a way to regulate the use of campaign materials.
The Benue State chapter of the APC and PDP have been engaging in a war of words over the issue of billboard permits and clearance. While the APC insists that all parties must comply with the law, the PDP accuses the government of trying to cripple their campaign efforts. The development suggests that the 2027 elections in Benue State are likely to be closely contested.
Key points
- The Benue APC has advised the PDP to obtain billboard permits and clearance as required by law.
- The PDP has accused the government of trying to restrict their campaign efforts through the directive on billboard permits.
- The government's directive on billboard permits is set to be enforced from October 20, 2026.
