2027: Police threaten crackdown on politicians destroying opponents’ billboards, posters

The Nigeria Police Force has threatened to arrest and prosecute persons caught destroying campaign billboards and posters belonging to political opponents ahead of the 2027 polls.

The police said the warning became necessary following reports of tearing and defacing of campaign materials belonging to candidates and political parties in different parts of the country.

According to the Force, such actions amount to political intolerance and must stop.

Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, who disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, said the act is punishable under the law.

He explained that wilful destruction of campaign materials falls under malicious damage and mischief as provided in Section 451 of the Criminal Code Act and Section 326 of the Penal Code.

Iniedu noted that supporting a political party does not confer the right to tamper with the campaign assets of another candidate or interfere with their freedom to campaign.

He said every political party and candidate deserves equal protection, adding that no individual has the authority to decide which posters or billboards should be allowed to stand.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has ordered Commissioners of Police in the 36 states and the FCT to put preventive measures in place, probe all complaints received and ensure offenders are brought to book.

Disu warned that sponsors of thugs and those who aid such criminality will not be spared if investigations link them to the offence.

The police urged political actors and their supporters to embrace peace and respect opposing views, insisting that democracy must not be truncated through intimidation and lawlessness.

It maintained that anyone who violates the law in the name of politics will be made to face the consequences.