Opposition parties in Edo State have raised the alarm over the alleged destruction of their billboards and campaign materials as political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections.
DAILY POST reports that the opposition parties raised the concern at a stakeholders’ forum convened by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Benin City.
They expressed concern over alleged intimidation, destruction of campaign materials and other acts capable of undermining peaceful participation in the general elections.
They, however, urged security agencies to remain impartial and ensure equal protection for all political parties before, during and after the elections.
Speaking at the event, the Edo State Chairman of the Labour Party, Ms Helen Uwangue, said the absence of consequences for electoral offences had encouraged repeated violations.
Uwangue urged security agencies to protect opposition parties from intimidation, noting that they had suffered such experiences in the past.
According to her, opposition parties needed assurances that all parties would be protected equally, stressing that no political party should use security agencies to oppress others.
"We call on INEC to maintain transparency and impartiality, ensure the early release of electoral guidelines and prevent manipulation during the collation of results," she said.
On his part, the Deputy State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Mr Sylvester Ewanehi, expressed concern over what he described as increasing intimidation of opposition parties.
Ewanehi urged political leaders and security agencies to address alleged acts of political violence and ensure that electoral competition was conducted peacefully.
Also speaking, the State Legal Adviser of the New Nigeria Democratic Congress, Mr Mathew Edaghese, alleged that his party's supporters had been victims of violence and called for the prosecution of perpetrators, irrespective of their political affiliations.
"When you create an exception for bad behaviour, you are creating an incentive for more bad behaviour," he said, stressing that electoral offences should attract consequences rather than repeated appeals for peace.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Assistant Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr Samuel Obuoh, defended his party against allegations of involvement in political violence.
Obuoh urged political parties to focus on issue-based campaigns and present their candidates and manifestoes to voters.
He said electoral competition should be based on persuading voters rather than accusing political opponents.
Responding, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Edo State, Mr Obbo Effanga, said INEC was committed to providing a level playing field for all parties but expected them to conduct their activities in accordance with the law.
Effanga said violence and threats of violence should have no place in politics and election campaigns.
He warned against attacks on political opponents, disruption of political meetings, intimidation of electoral officials, destruction of campaign materials and cyberbullying.
He explained that the commission had convened the meeting to engage political parties directly, address emerging concerns and prevent actions that could lead to a breakdown of law and order.
While noting that the responsibility for enforcing criminal laws rested with law enforcement agencies, he urged political parties to report offences and provide relevant information to aid investigations.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner further explained that the register displayed online was an interim version intended to allow claims and objections before the final register was produced.
He urged anyone who suspected irregularities to identify specific entries for investigation.
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Patrick Daaor, urged political parties to notify the police before holding rallies and other public events to enable adequate security arrangements.
Daaor said the police could not effectively investigate allegations without specific information identifying the suspected perpetrators.
"If you know the people who attacked you, let us have their names. How do you want me to handle that?" he asked, urging political parties to cooperate with security agencies rather than make allegations without evidence.
Edo opposition parties raise alarm over destruction of billboards, campaign materials