KOSSAA Sounds Warning: Destruction of Political Billboards, Posters Will Not Be Tolerated in Kogi
…Agency urges parties, supporters to shun political thuggery, protect democratic space
The Kogi State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KOSSAA) has issued a strong warning against the destruction, defacement or vandalisation of political billboards, posters and other campaign materials across the state, cautioning political parties, supporters and suspected political thugs against acts capable of escalating tension ahead of the 2027 elections.
The General Manager of KOSSAA, Hon. Richard Osaseyi, gave the warning amid renewed reports of attacks on political campaign materials and allegations of intimidation involving supporters of different political tendencies in the state.
- Advertisement -
Osaseyi stressed that political disagreements must not degenerate into vandalism, intimidation or violence, urging all political actors to respect the right of rival parties and candidates to campaign peacefully.
His warning comes against the backdrop of at least two major reported incidents within the past week.
On October 3, 2026, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) reported that its Kogi West Senatorial candidate and Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency candidate were allegedly attacked during political activities at Gegu-Beki, Koton Karfe, with campaign vehicles and materials reportedly destroyed.
ADC State Chairman, Hon. Tom Zakari, alleged that suspected APC sympathisers were responsible, although the allegation has not been independently established. He consequently called on the police and other security agencies to investigate the incident.
A separate allegation emerged from a power-rotation summit in Lokoja, where the group De-Group Kogi West O’Clock claimed that some of its delegates were intimidated and that supporters’ banners were destroyed.
The group’s spokesman, Barr. Shaba Ibrahim, said the delegates attended the summit in the expectation of promoting peace but allegedly experienced harassment. The Dankwo Development Forum also reportedly alleged that banners belonging to power-rotation supporters were destroyed by suspected thugs.
Against this backdrop, KOSSAA’s warning assumes heightened significance as political mobilisation intensifies across Kogi.
Osaseyi maintained that political campaigns should be conducted within the bounds of the law, stressing that no individual, party or group has the right to destroy another party’s legally displayed campaign materials simply because of political differences.
The Agency’s position is consistent with previous warnings from electoral and security authorities. In 2024, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, cautioned political actors against violent attacks and the mutual destruction of campaign materials, noting that such actions violate provisions governing political campaigns and urging security agencies to enforce the law.
The Nigeria Police Force has similarly warned that destroying campaign posters and billboards is a criminal act and that persons found responsible could face arrest and prosecution.
KOSSAA’s latest warning therefore sends a clear message: political rivalry must never become a licence for vandalism, intimidation or violence.
As Kogi moves deeper into the electoral season, the Agency urged political parties, candidates, campaign organisations and their supporters to embrace issue-based campaigns, respect opposing viewpoints and allow every lawful political voice to be heard.
The Agency also called on relevant security authorities to investigate reported incidents objectively, identify those responsible where evidence establishes culpability, and ensure that perpetrators—regardless of political affiliation—are brought to justice.
The warning comes at a critical moment for Kogi, where heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 elections has increased the visibility of Campaign Billboards, posters and other political Advertisements across the State. KOSSAA has previously stated that it is responsible for regulating outdoor Advertising and enforcing applicable Signage requirements in Kogi.
The message from the signage regulator is unequivocal: political competition is legitimate; destruction of opponents’ Campaign materials is not.
Signed:
Hon. Richard Osaseyi,
General Manager,
Kogi State Signage and Advertisement Agency
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper October 7th, 2026
