The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has denounced a directive by the state government to remove billboards and posters across the state from October 20, 2026. According to the PDP, this move is a plot by Governor Hyacinth Alia to cripple opposition campaigns ahead of the 2027 governorship election. The party views the directive as an anti-democratic attempt to restrict the visibility of alternative political voices.
In a statement issued by PDP State Publicity Secretary, Bright Yima Antyo, the party warned that selective removal of opposition campaign materials will be seen as a direct attack on democratic freedoms. The PDP called on civil society organizations, election observers, the media, security agencies, and defenders of democracy to monitor the government's actions and prevent the use of state institutions for partisan purposes.
The Benue State government had given a two-week ultimatum to political parties, individuals, and groups to obtain permits from the Signage and Advertisement Agency, clearance from the Urban Development Board, and pay prescribed fees before erecting or retaining billboards. The government warned that enforcement teams will begin removing non-compliant billboards from October 20, 2026, at the owners' cost, with no further notice.
The PDP criticized the government's sudden interest in enforcing signage laws, questioning why these regulations were not enforced before opposition campaigns gained traction. The party believes the real target of this exercise is the opposition, and that the government's language of "regulation" and "compliance" is a disguise for its true intentions.
Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, stated that the government will not give another notice before enforcement commences. He emphasized that anyone who ignores the ultimatum should expect no sympathy or exception, regardless of status, affiliation, or political influence.
The PDP's statement urged Governor Alia's administration to reconsider its decision, which they claim will stifle democratic expression and opposition voices. The party maintains that the directive bears all the markings of a calculated operation aimed at clearing public spaces of opposition campaign materials.
The development has sparked concerns about the potential impact on the 2027 governorship election and the democratic process in Benue State. The PDP's criticism has highlighted the need for the government to balance regulatory measures with democratic freedoms and the rights of opposition parties to campaign effectively.
Key points
- The PDP accuses Governor Hyacinth Alia's administration of plotting to cripple opposition campaigns ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
- The Benue State government has given a two-week ultimatum for compliance with signage laws.
- The PDP views the directive as an anti-democratic attempt to restrict the visibility of alternative political voices.
