Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has warned those engaging in the destruction of his campaign billboards to refrain from such actions, deeming it detrimental to the progress of democracy.
Addressing the incident on Monday at Lagos Street, where he inspected one of the dismantled billboards, Shaibu emphasized that the destruction served no purpose, as it is ultimately the Edo people who decide the state’s next governor.
Expressing visible frustration during his visit to the vandalized billboard on Lagos Street, near Ring Road, Shaibu revealed that his campaign billboards had been dismantled on two separate occasions at the same location.
The deputy governor noted that he had secured all the stands for his campaign billboards since June 2023, expressing displeasure at the ongoing destruction.
He added, “I am a man who plans ahead in whatever I want to do. I paid and secured all of the spots across the state, and signed an MoU with the owners and paid fully.”
“This kind of ugly development is capable of scaring private investors from the state. This is why we have to be very careful as a government and individual in our actions.”
“We are going to replace the billboard right now and we hope it will not be tampered with again.”
“We have been patient enough; they must not provoke us. Our patience must not be taken for granted. Edo is a peaceful state. We must allow peace to prevail before, during and after the election.”