Chris Nehikhare, Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Edo State, has come out to clarify that the “Edo State government discussed with all billboard owners” in the state before taking “possession” of the billboards.
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| Emblem of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) |
This is coming after some headlines stated that, “Edo State bans other parties from using billboards” in the state.
The billboards are now “property of the Edo PDP”. The ruling party of the state, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), made the “strategic” move for their campaigns as the 2023 elections draw very nigh.
Nehikhare made these statements while briefing journalists in Benin City. The Commissioner is also the Deputy Director, Media and Publicity, for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Management Council.
Also present at the media briefing, Solomon Imohiosen, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communication and Orientation, alongside Special Adviser to the State Governor on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie.
He went ahead to blast the All Progressives Congress (APC), calling them a “gangster” party, saying “the Edo state government is not a gangster and does not act like the APC”.
According to Nehikhare: “The Edo state government is not unreasonable in its approach to governance by withholding opportunities for a proper democratic process. In Edo, freedom is given to the opposition to express themselves.
“It’s not a coincidence that the elections are around the corner. As far back as a few months ago, Edo state government discussed with all billboard owners to make payments for quite a number of billboards in the Benin metropolis.
“We did not take possession because we were waiting for the campaign to kick-off and if anybody has gone to a billboard agent to pay for a billboard, the person who pays first and is given a date for when his account will start to run, is actually the legal owner of that billboard.
“We, as a party, raised the money for these billboards so they are a property of the Edo PDP. We were more strategic in planning, and took advantage of the time to make payments for most of the billboards.
“If a billboard agent has taken money from you and cannot post your advert, you should go back and get your money because we paid for them. We have no apologies to anyone who didn’t have the foresight to do it.
“It is very embarrassing when people carry sensational headlines like Edo State bans other parties from using billboards.
“The Edo state government is not a gangster and does not act like the APC. In Lagos state that happens, but in Edo, such can’t happen. We do not own billboards; we are not agents of billboards. What we do is to have policies in place to ensure they are not causing nuisance in our streets by controlling where the billboards are located.”
