A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Salihu Tanko Yakasai, has accused the Kano state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf of preventing the opposition party from mounting campaign billboards across the state
Yakasai, in a post on his Facebook page, alleged that the government was restricting the party’s political advertising activities
“I never imagined that the kind of oppression the APC is accused of carrying out in some states could happen in Kano,” he wrote, adding that the ADC was being denied the opportunity to use billboards to communicate its message to residents
He appealed to Governor Yusuf to reflect on the transient nature of political power, reminding him that authority is ultimately subject to the will of God
“Those you claimed oppressed you yesterday are now under your authority, but you do not know where Allah may place you tomorrow,” Yakasai said
Similar concerns were raised by Adnan Mukhtar Tudun Wada, an aide to ADC governorship candidate Ibrahim Ali Little
He alleged that the government had ordered the removal of ADC billboards across the state, describing the move as “a serious abuse of democratic principles and an unacceptable restriction on the political space in Kano” Tudun Wada argued that even under former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, opposition parties were allowed to erect billboards in accordance with the law.
Another ADC candidate, Mussadiq Tofa, who is contesting the Dawakin Tofa/Tofa/Rimin Gado Federal Constituency seat, said a billboard company refunded his payment and removed his campaign banners after allegedly receiving directives from the Kano State Signage Agency (KASA)
He claimed the company told him the banners were “not in line with the current administration’s interests” and risked losing its operating licence if it refused to comply
When contacted, the Director-General of KASA, Comrade Kabiru Dakata, denied the allegations He said the agency had not denied any political party the right to erect campaign billboards, provided they obtained approval and paid the appropriate fees.
“We do not discriminate against any political party What is required to erect campaign billboards applies to all outdoor advertisements. Pay the appropriate fees and get your approval to erect. We will remove any billboard erected without approval and that is all,” Dakata told Daily Trust in a telephone interview.