The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Adewole Adebayo, has criticised the Adamawa State Government over restrictions on political campaign posters and billboards, warning that such actions could undermine democratic competition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adebayo described the reported directive as a sign of dictatorship, insisting that all political parties should be allowed to publicise their programmes and present their ideas to Nigerians.
He spoke on Wednesday during the inauguration of the SDP’s 12,000-member Presidential Campaign Council, where he questioned why the state government allegedly ordered the removal of campaign materials belonging to parties other than the All Progressives Congress.
The controversy follows an earlier warning by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri against the illegal placement of campaign posters on flyovers and other public buildings. The governor had threatened legal action against offenders after an Adamawa Magistrate Court fined African Democratic Congress governorship candidate, Suleiman Umar, N3m for placing campaign posters on public property.
However, the governor’s spokesperson, Humwashi Wonosikou, had maintained that the restriction was not politically motivated, saying the law against defacement of public property applied to everyone, regardless of political affiliation.
Adebayo urged members of his party’s campaign council to take their mobilisation efforts to communities, wards and regions across the country rather than concentrate on activities at the party’s national secretariat.
Inaugurating the campaign council, SDP National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, called for an issue-based and people-centred campaign guided by the Constitution, Electoral Act and INEC guidelines. He urged members to reject violence, intimidation and electoral malpractice while working to secure victory in the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
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