Ahead of November 11 governorship election in Kogi state, the Olayinka Braimoh Campaign Organisation has condemned the continued destruction of its candidate’s billboards in the state.
In a statement signed by Musa Olumayowa Yakubu, the campaign organization described the continued acts of political violence as desperation of anarchists.
Musa stated that the continued destruction of billboards showed some interests are afraid of the prospects of Olayinka Braimoh, the governorship candidate of Action Alliance (AA), winning the November election.
“First, it was Olayinka Braimoh’s bill board at the popular and highly populated NATACO junction, Lokoja that was vandalised some weeks back and now, the one at Ogidi junction, Kabba has also been destroyed.
“This is especially sad, particularly as this wanton destruction of the bill boards and defacing of posters belonging to the Action Alliance (AA) governorship candidate is happening in areas within the Kogi West Senatorial District at a time when our elders are seeking to have a consensus candidate from the district.
“We may be right to say that someone is afraid of Braimoh’s rising political profile. As can be testified to by all and sundry, Olayinka Braimoh is a level-headed, peaceful, humble and progressive politician who has never been involved in any activity that will warrant this violent attack on his bill boards other publicity materials. He and his supporters cannot be identified with any form of attack – verbal or physical – on other candidates, their materials and supporters.
“In fact, one can never hear him mention the names of other candidates in his speeches, let alone attack any of their publicity materials. One of the assets that set him apart from others is his dignified humility.
“These people perpetrating this dastardly attack on his publicity materials and their sponsors should be reminded that destruction of billboards, posters and banners is against the 2022 Electoral Act and is also a violation of the freedom of expression as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.
“Again, such an action is morally unjustifiable as this is not a true reflection of what democracy represents. It is an invitation to anarchy. The perpetrators represent the worst dictatorship of the highest order,” the statement read.
The campaign organization called on security agents to, as a matter of urgency, watch out for the undesirable elements with a view to arresting them and making them face the wrath of the law.
“They intend to coerce or goad us into violence, but we will never get involved in such unlawful act.
“The Braimoh Campaign Organisation is busy taking its message of wealth creation, distribution and retention across the state. We are getting ready for a peaceful election. We know the people are with us and they will endorse Braimoh’s divine assignment to uplift Kogi State and its people out of poverty.”
