Hon. John Yakubu, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for governor in the state of Edo, has charged an anonymous senior state official of organising the demolition of his billboards in key sites throughout Benin City, the state capital.
Yakubu accused the senior government official of using his “transient” position to persecute him during a news conference on Thursday. He also urged Governor Godwin Obaseki to rectify the situation or risk legal action.
Yakubu said that the billboards included nothing incriminating because there was no party insignia or name engraving; instead, they simply read, “Edo of our dream is possible.”
He stated, “We discovered a few of the billboards that we paid for and had installed along Airport Road, Ikpoba Slope, and Ikpoba Hill had been illegally removed a few days ago. In response to our inquiries, the advertising company that handled the transaction on our behalf informed us that the removal was required by a very senior government official in Edo State who was dissatisfied with the message the billboards were displaying. It was claimed that he utilised his momentary position of authority to direct Oredo Local Government officials to remove the billboards’ statements.
“We consider this to be a questionable attempt to thwart our modest efforts to connect and educate the good people of Edo State to our message of hope. It is repugnant, irresponsible, disgusting, high-handed, and against to our moral principles. The message didn’t campaign for votes or work to advance any political party’s interests.
The messages have not broken any electoral laws. They are in a panic because it simply states “Edo of Our Dream is Possible,” and they know that this is exactly what the decent people of Edo State long for.”
It is evident from this action that the rumoured top government official, who is also purported to be pursuing a 2024 gubernatorial ambition, became alarmed and frightened at the speed with which we were able to persuade the people of Edo State in our small way that the dream of a better Edo is indeed feasible.
“We would want to give notice that, if our billboards, which we have duly paid for, are not reinstated as soon as possible, we will be forced to take the appropriate legal steps to obtain compensation,” he added.
