News Update

THE Osun State Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have traded words over the alleged stoppage of campaign billboards belonging to the opposition party in Osogbo, the state capital.

The Osun APC had accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of ordering the stoppage of the pasting of billboards of its governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the 2026 governorship election.

In a statement on Friday, the Osun APC chairman, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, alleged that the state government directed the Osun State Signage and Advertisement Agency (O’Signage) not to approve the erection or pasting of any APC billboard within Osogbo.

According to the party, the alleged action was an attempt to stifle opposition and deny the APC a level playing ground for its campaign activities.

Lawal claimed, “It was reliably gathered that the Osun State Government specifically instructed that no APC billboards should be displayed from Akoda to Osogbo City Stadium within a specific period of time between now and the period of the election.”

The APC further alleged that the state government had ordered the O’Signage Agency to identify owners of existing billboards across Osogbo and compensate them for three years per billboard.

The statement also questioned the motive behind the alleged directive, describing it as “unlawful, anti-social and undemocratic,” and attributing it to fear of defeat ahead of the next election.

Reacting to this in a statement signed by Hon. Ridwan Wale Ayofe-Aminu, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on O’Signage, Hoarding and Advertisement Agency, strongly denied the allegations, describing them as false and politically motivated.

He dismissed the APC’s claims as “baseless, hollow and politically contrived,” insisting that its regulatory actions were routine and lawful.

The statement read in part, “Let it be stated, without equivocation, that the claims by the Osun APC are baseless, hollow and politically contrived, clearly designed to mask their growing unease over the unmistakable love and overwhelming support the people of Osun State continue to show for Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke.”

The agency stressed that billboard regulations in the state are uniform and apply equally to all political parties, adding that no directive had been issued to victimize any party or candidate.

It further stated, “For the avoidance of doubt, the Osun State Signage and Advertisement Agency operates strictly within the confines of the law. Regulations governing billboards and outdoor advertisements are uniform, transparent and non-discriminatory, applying equally to all political parties and stakeholders.”

Responding to claims of political persecution, the agency described the APC’s reaction as “crocodile tears,” insisting that the controversy was driven by panic rather than genuine concern.

According to the statement, “This latest outburst is less about billboards and more about panic, panic in the face of an impending political reckoning.”

The agency reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to fairness, rule of law and democratic principles, urging the APC to focus on regaining the trust of the electorate rather than attacking lawful institutions.