NNPP Urges Security Agencies to Arrest Vandals of Aspirants’ Billboards in Ondo State

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Ondo State has called on security operatives to arrest and prosecute individuals found destroying its aspirants’ billboards across the state.

Wasiu Sanusi, the Ondo State Publicity Secretary of NNPP, emphasized the urgent need to halt this trend to prevent it from escalating into a crisis.

Sanusi revealed that a faceless group had been targeting the billboards of NNPP’s governorship aspirants to hinder the party’s chances of unseating the ruling party in the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the off-cycle governorship elections in Ondo State for November 16, 2024.

According to Sam Olumekun, the commission’s spokesperson, the tenure of the current Governor of Ondo State is expected to end on February 23, 2025.

INEC noted that, in accordance with Section 178 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the election into the office shall be held not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the tenure of the last holder of the office.

Ondo State is one of eight Nigerian states where governorship elections are conducted outside the general elections cycle due to previous litigations.

The other states include Anambra, Osun, Edo, Ekiti, Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo.

INEC has outlined that party primaries are scheduled to take place from April 6 to April 27, 2024.

The submission of the list of nominated candidates through the online portal will commence on April 29, 2024, and close on May 20, 2024.

Sanusi emphasized, “NNPP is the main opposition party in Ondo State, and the destruction of party aspirants’ billboards could lead to a crisis. We appeal to security operatives to curb this trend.”

He added that NNPP felt compelled to react to the situation to prevent other party members from retaliating, potentially disrupting the peace during the election.