The Edo State Signage and Advertising Regulatory Agency has removed campaign banners bearing the images of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate and running mate, Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, from a billboard at Stadium Road Junction by Ekenwan Road, Benin City.

The reported removal came after an alleged earlier attempt by officials of the agency to take down the campaign materials was reportedly resisted by residents, who confronted the officials and stopped them.

The taskforce were said to have returned to the location on Wednesday in about three Sienna vehicles and subsequently pulled down the campaign materials.

Reacting to the development, the member representing Oredo East Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly and NDC candidate for Oredo Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, Hon. Frank Uyi Omosigho, condemned the action, describing it as an escalation of what he alleged was a pattern of attacks on the party’s campaign materials.

He said the billboard prominently displayed the NDC presidential candidates and was located in a public area where political parties should be able to communicate their messages to voters, subject to applicable regulations.

“The latest incident was part of a wider pattern of attacks on NDC campaign materials in Oredo, including the destruction of my campaign billboards and posters at different locations,” the lawmaker said.

He also alleged that his campaign office had come under attack, warning that such incidents could undermine peaceful political participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Political contests should be about ideas, programmes, competence and the ability of candidates to win the confidence of the electorate, rather than the destruction of opponents’ campaign materials.

“We are not afraid of any political contest. If there are concerns about the location or regulation of a billboard, there are lawful procedures for addressing such concerns,” Omosigho said.

However, an official of the agency, said, “The advert materials were removed because the owners had yet to regularise its placement on the billboard with the agency.”

The official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, advised the affected party to visit the agency’s office to resolve the matter and comply with the relevant regulatory requirements.