AS political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 General Elections, the Nigeria Police Force is sending a strong warning to politicians and their supporters: destroying opponents’ campaign posters, banners and billboards will attract serious consequences.
In a statement, the Force says political intolerance and deliberate destruction of campaign materials will not be tolerated, declaring that both perpetrators and their sponsors risk arrest and prosecution.
It stresses that unlawfully tearing down or defacing another candidate’s campaign materials constitutes malicious damage, a criminal offence punishable under applicable laws, including Section 451 of the Criminal Code Act and Section 326 of the Penal Code Law.
To enforce compliance, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has directed Commissioners of Police across the 36 states and the FCT to step up surveillance, investigate reported cases and bring offenders to justice.
The directive also targets political sponsors and individuals who recruit, finance or encourage others to destroy campaign materials, where evidence establishes their involvement.
The Force insists that every political party and candidate deserves equal protection under the law, warning that no individual or group has the right to determine whose campaign materials should be displayed or destroyed.
It therefore calls on political parties, candidates and their supporters to play by the rules, respect opposing views and embrace peaceful campaigns.
