Edo guber: Commissioner and Akpata exchange words over alleged destruction of LP campaign billboards | The Guardian Nigeria News

The governorship candidate of the Labor Party in Edo State, Olumide Akpata, has accused agents of the Edo State government of destroying his campaign billboards across the state.

Briefing journalists in Benin City about the incessant destruction of LP campaign billboards, Akpata said: “You cannot rule out the fact that some people in the state are taking advantage of the impasse the party finds itself in to perpetrate what he described as “hateful”. crime.”

He alleged that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, led by Obaseki, and in connivance with two council chairmen, was behind the destruction of his campaign materials and hoardings. display, which he says amounts to vandalism.

Insisting that the PDP is not comfortable with the visibility of its billboards, Akpata said members and supporters of Edo LP have been alerted to secure all its campaign materials, including billboards, in order to put an end to the wanton destruction of his campaign billboards which he described as “criminal”. and barbaric.

“By resorting to the rampant destruction of my campaign materials which I legally and rightfully paid for with my hard-earned resources, Governor Godwin Obaseki and his superiors have clearly revealed themselves to be intolerant anti-democratic forces of divergent voices, dissenting views, and the fundamental principles of pluralism that underpin any true democracy worthy of the name,” Akpata said.

Reacting in a statement, the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, urged Akpata to engage the relevant agencies responsible for signage management to settle any outstanding bills or disputes .

“We acknowledge the concerns raised by Mr. OlumideAkpata regarding the removal of his campaign billboard. The Edo State Government condemns all forms of vandalism and urges all parties involved to resolve these issues through appropriate channels. »

“While we understand Mr Akpata’s frustration, we encourage him to engage with the relevant agencies responsible for signage management to resolve any outstanding invoices or disputes,” Nehikhare said.