The Lagos State Police Command has asked the Lagos State Signage and
Advertisement Agency to desist from removing the campaign posters and
billboards of political parties.
The state Commissioner of Police, Cornelius Aderanti, gave the warning
on Monday at a press briefing at the command headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos.
Aderanti, who said the police had also held a meeting with LASAA
authorities on the matter, added that the electoral act did not permit any
agency or people to remove candidates’ campaign posters.
He said, “We note with concern the series of complaints which have been
made against LASAA by candidates of various political parties about removal of
campaign billboards and posters purportedly by personnel of the agency. The
Electoral Act 2010 as amended is clear in Section 100(2), where it said that
state apparatus, including the media shall not be employed to the advantage or
the disadvantage of any political party or candidate in any election.
“The command wishes to advise
LASAA to desist from any act that will call to question its purpose. I have
also held a meeting with personnel of LASAA to that effect. Various agencies of
government are encouraged to be fair in all that concerns their oversight
functions to ensure that no political party is shut out of the electoral
process.”
The CP added that he had also directed the Area Commanders of Police and
the Divisional Police Officers to arrest anyone or group found removing
campaign posters of political parties.
“Without prejudice to any political party, I have directed my ACPs and
DPOs to arrest anyone who removes billboards or posters of candidates. Anyone
caught, no matter how highly placed, will be apprehended by the police. The
command enjoins all political parties to go about their campaigns lawfully and
peacefully in the state,” he said.
On what was described as the abusive use of police escorts by
politicians, the CP said it had noted the complaint and would look into it.
Tags
Politics