Billboard Removal: PDP Accuses Kwara Govt of Political Oppression, KWASAA Alleges Approval, Safety Violations

 

 

By Felix Ajide, Ilorin

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State and the state Signage and Advertisement Agency (KWASAA) have disagreed over the removal of a billboard carrying the image and political message of the party’s 2027 governorship candidate, Engr. Sulaiman Bolakale Kawu Agaka, at the Geri Alimi Underpass in Ilorin.

While the PDP described the removal as politically motivated and an attempt by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to intimidate political opponents ahead of the 2027 general elections, KWASAA said the enforcement had nothing to do with politics.

In a statement issued by his Media Office, Kawu alleged that the billboard was removed before the expiration of the agreed rental period, despite what he said was compliance with the appropriate process for securing the advertising space.

The PDP governorship candidate said his representatives had approached the consultants managing the advertising space, after which the necessary proceedings were remitted to KWASAA.

He questioned why the billboard was removed before the expiration of the tenancy, alleging that the action was triggered by the discovery that the advertising space was being used to display his image and political message.

Kawu described the development as an abuse of government power and an attempt to deploy public authority to frustrate a political opponent.

He said such conduct was unacceptable in a democracy, stressing that government had a responsibility to provide a level playing field for political parties and candidates.

Kawu therefore called on well-meaning Kwarans, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to speak against what he described as political intimidation and the alleged use of government machinery to suppress legitimate political expression ahead of the 2027 elections.

He further argued that the removal of billboards would not diminish what he described as growing support for him, former Senate President Dr Bukola Saraki and the PDP across the state.

According to him, “attempts to remove billboards could neither erase people’s political convictions nor determine the choices they would make at the polls.”

He urged the AbdulRazaq administration to stop what he called unnecessary political shenanigans and allow political parties and candidates to operate within the law.

Kawu assured that the PDP would continue to engage the electorate peacefully and present its alternative to the people of Kwara, expressing confidence that the electorate would ultimately determine the state’s political direction through their votes in 2027.

However, KWASAA, in a separate statement issued by its Press Secretary, rejected the political interpretation of the enforcement exercise.

The agency said its attention had been drawn to a trending video concerning the enforcement action on a billboard structure at the Geri Alimi Underpass and expressed concern over what it described as a misleading narrative surrounding the exercise.

According to KWASAA, the enforcement was based on the “approval status of the structure and the operator’s outstanding obligations to the Agency” and was not targeted at any political party or candidate.

The agency advised the PDP and Kawu to seek clarification from the operator from whom they rented the advertising space, stressing that payment for an advertising space did not automatically establish that the billboard structure had the required approvals or that the operator had fulfilled all outstanding obligations to KWASAA.

The agency also referred to a previous incident involving alleged damage to government infrastructure, saying it had formally communicated with the Kwara State chapter of the PDP and subsequently invited its representatives for discussions.

KWASAA said that matter was handled through official channels without controversy on social media.

Seeking to establish the facts surrounding the latest enforcement, the agency raised three questions, including whether the structure existed at the location a week before the enforcement, whether the operator had settled outstanding obligations following enforcement action on some of its other billboards four months earlier, and who approved the installation of the iron framework on the bridge.

The agency particularly raised safety concerns over the structure, alleging that the iron framework had been installed without its approval or supervision.

KWASAA said the safety of residents and protection of public infrastructure remained “non-negotiable”, warning that an improperly installed structure could endanger road users.

It maintained that its enforcement activities were being carried out fairly and consistently, irrespective of the political affiliation of advertisers.

The agency consequently advised political parties, candidates and other advertisers to verify the approval status of advertising structures and the compliance status of operators with KWASAA before making payments or installing advertising materials.

It said such verification would help prevent disputes and disruptions arising from enforcement actions.

The billboard controversy has consequently brought into focus the intersection of political advertising, regulatory compliance and the use of public infrastructure as Nigeria gradually approaches the 2027 elections.

While the PDP maintains that the removal raises concerns about political fairness and freedom of political expression, KWASAA insists that its action was regulatory and safety-driven, rather than politically motivated.

The agency said it remained open to enquiries and complaints from members of the public and stakeholders at its office on the first floor of the Ministry of Communications, Ilorin.