Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, has denied reports that he gave orders for the removal of political billboards mounted in the state.
The governorâs statement was hinged on the pulling down of campaign billboards of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi and that of the party’s senatorial candidate for Anambra Central, Senator Victor Umeh, mounted on the pedestrian flyover along the popular UNIZIK junction in Awka, the state capital.
Tony Ujubuonu, the Managing Director of the Anambra Signage and Advertisement Agency, (ANSAA) had disclosed that the LP billboards were removed over alleged debt to the agency, however, officials of LP insisted that removal was politically motivated, stressing that the advert on the billboards was fully paid for.
Responding to the allegations, the Governor in a statement by his press secretary, Christian Aburime, Â distanced himself from the operations of ANSAA, stating that they are lawfully authorised to regulate billboards and also apply sanctions in the state.
Part of the statement reads, “For the purposes of clarification and to prevent further deliberate sponsored write-ups to mislead the general public, we, therefore wish to state as follows:
1) In August 2022 Anambra Signage and Advertisement Agency, ANSAA sent out letters to all the political parties in Anambra State to obtain political campaign permits as provided by law which would enable them enjoy campaigns around the state and access to rent available government outdoor media assets and public spaces.
2) Also in October 2022, the Agency again sent out another letter to the candidates reminding them of the need to obtain the permit. Before commencing enforcement in November 2022, ANSAA ran a one-week sensitisation paid adverts in the media for further general reminder to all political parties and their candidates. Many of the political parties and candidates responded including the APGA candidates.
3) Sadly, no payment was made by the Labour party candidates both at the National and State House of Assembly levels. Several phone calls and entreaties were made to them through their media managers by ANSAA. These appeals and entreaties were brazenly ignored. They have had several campaigns in the state without permits and have their campaign materials everywhere without permits.
4) It is only fair that all politicians and political parties should be treated equally. The Labour Party cannot choose to be lawless in a society governed by laws and regulations, whereas other parties and candidates comply with directives of the signage agency, except Labour Party, which believe it is ENTITLED to a different set of rules. Is lawlessness and operating with different rules for LP and another for others what Labour Party stand for?
5) Governor Soludo and Anambra state under him have been commended as the most tolerant state during this campaign period. Soludo has even allowed Peter Obi to use government facilities for his campaign without paying any fees.
6) In Anambra, law and order is our first agenda. If Peter Obi and Labour Party cannot play by the rules during campaign, we wonder how they can govern lawfully?”
