A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Rasaq Sijuola, has raised concerns over the destruction of campaign billboards belonging to APC candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections. The incident occurred along the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Road in Akinyele Local Government Area, where political miscreants allegedly removed APC campaign materials and replaced them with those of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). Sijuola, who is also an aspirant in the recent APC primary election for Akinyele State Constituency 2, disclosed this in a statement released to DAILY POST on Saturday.
Sijuola, who serves as the Mogaji of Looyin compound in Ibadan, described the act as unacceptable and a clear violation of democratic principles. He emphasized that political differences should never be used as justification for destroying public or private property or undermining electoral processes. The replacement of APC billboards with APM materials signals growing tensions in the state’s political landscape as electioneering activities intensify.
In his statement, Sijuola called on security agencies to take immediate action to prevent further incidents of sabotage and vandalism. He confirmed he is consulting with his legal team to determine the appropriate legal remedies against those responsible for the destruction and replacement of the campaign materials. He stressed that such actions undermine the integrity of democratic participation and must not be tolerated.
He urged party leaders, stakeholders, and relevant authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure that anyone found guilty is prosecuted according to the law. Sijuola also appealed to supporters across all political parties to embrace tolerance, restraint, and issue-based politics as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections. He reiterated his commitment to peaceful democratic engagement, insisting that politics should revolve around ideas, service, and development rather than intimidation or destruction.
The incident highlights rising anxieties about the conduct of political campaigns in Oyo State and raises questions about the preparedness of security agencies to maintain order during the upcoming electoral cycle. As the 2027 elections draw nearer, similar acts of sabotage could escalate if not addressed decisively. The situation underscores the need for stronger oversight and accountability mechanisms to safeguard Nigeria’s democratic process.
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