The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kano State has accused the Kano State Government of allegedly directing the removal of outdoor advertisements promoting the party across the state.
The allegation was made by the Kano State Chairman of the ADC, Malam Musa Shu’aibu Ungogo, during a press conference organised by the party on Wednesday.
Malam Musa Shu’aibu Ungogo alleged that the company responsible for managing and installing roadside billboards in the state had been instructed to remove all billboards and outdoor advertisements carrying the ADC’s campaign messages and party branding.
According to him, the development has raised concerns within the party, particularly as political parties are expected to be allowed to communicate their programmes, policies and political activities to members of the public in accordance with the law.
The ADC chairman said the party considered the alleged removal of its advertisements a matter that should be addressed, stressing that the party would continue to use lawful means to engage the public and promote its political activities.
Also speaking at the press conference, the ADC candidate for the Tofa/Rimin Gado State Constituency, Musaddik Bashir Tofa, provided further details on the alleged removal of the party’s advertisements.
Musaddik Bashir Tofa said the company handling the advertisements sent him a message informing him that the ADC advertisements placed on roadside billboards had to be removed.
He explained that the message came after the party had already made arrangements for the placement of its advertisements, raising questions over the circumstances surrounding the decision to remove them.
The ADC candidate said the party was seeking clarification on the development and urged relevant authorities to ensure that all political parties are treated fairly in matters relating to political campaigns and public advertisements.
The party called on the relevant authorities to look into the matter and ensure that political parties are given equal opportunity to present their messages and programmes to the electorate ahead of the forthcoming political activities.
However, the allegations made by the ADC at the press conference had not, at the time of filing this report, received a response from the Kano State Government.
