Labour party has expressed disappointment over the attitude of the Government of Anambra, for destroying the billboards of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
On Saturday, January 14, 2023, the campaign billboard of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party was destroyed by the Government of Anambra State through its Signage and Advertisement Agency.
Obi’s billboard located at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Temporary Site Flyover was dismantled, as well as that of Chief Victor Umeh, the LP party’s candidate for the Anambra Central Senatorial District.
The Anambra state government, while justify its actions for destroying the billboards, said, it had in August 2022, formally requested from all political candidates to obtain campaign permits and pay campaign fees before mounting their adverts on billboards.
The fees, it said were distributed according to the political categories of the candidates, where as, the presidential candidates were asked to pay N10m, senatorial candidates to pay N7m, House of Representatives candidates to pay N5m, and state House of Assembly candidates to pay N1m as campaign fees.
Speaking on the dismantling of Obi’s billboards on Sunday, January 15, 2023, the Managing Director of ANSAA, Mr Tony Ujubuonu said the pulling down of the billboards was not political as insinuated.
He maintained that the affected candidates did not comply with the laid down procedures.
“In August and October 2022, ANSAA sent out a letter to all the political parties in Anambra to obtain political campaign permits which would enable them to enjoy campaigns around the state and have access to rent available government outdoor media assets and public spaces.
“Before commencing enforcement in November 2022, ANSAA ran a one-week sensitisation paid adverts in the media in case someone missed the earlier formally communicated information,” Ujubuonu said.
Reacting, the state chairman of the Labour Party, Mr Ugochukwu Emmanuel said the LP’s application for streetlight poles adverts was rejected, adding that the state government allowed other candidates to use the poles for their political campaigns.
“We paid in obedience to a government order. Our application to hoist mini billboards on the streetlight poles along the expressway was rejected but it is evident that the same billboards of other candidates of other parties are hoisted on the same poles,” he said.
Some time last year, the Governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo had public demonstrate his opposition to the Labour Party Presidential candidate, an action that attracted wide condemnation from the diehard loyalist of Peter Obi, known as Obidient.
Governor Soludo had attacked Obi in a lengthy essay, claiming that he would not win the presidential election.
While also throwing shades at Obi’s claim of making huge savings for Anambra State during his tenure, Soludo also said that governments exist to save lives and not to save money.
Responding, the Governors’s son, Ozonna Soludo expressed his opposition to his father’s remark and openly declared for Obi’s presidential candidacy.
The 28-year-old UK-based artiste made a comment on Facebook in response to a social media post criticizing his father for opposing Obi’s presidential ambition.
He wrote “I am not an extension of anybody. I have my own opinions and have always said I think Peter is the best candidate. All this has nothing to do with me”.
