Defaced posters and billboards of some political leaders in Akwa Ibom State continue to pose ugly sight along some streets and roads in Uyo, the state capital, Straightnews has learnt.
A reporter of Straightnews who went to town discovered that some billboards carrying the pictures of Governor Udom Emmanuel alone or with other leaders mostly along the road leading to Akwa Ibom International Airport, Uyo and Nwaniba junction close to Water Fountain were seen to be defaced by some suspected criminals.
Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom Police Command is committed to prosecuting people caught destroying, defacing or removing the posters and bill boards of their political opponents.
A press release issued on Thursday by DSP Odiko Macdon, Police Public Relations Officer for Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, the state Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State, observed with dismay the attitude of some persons going about destroying and defacing posters and billboards of the political leaders.
“This is a criminal and electoral offence. For the avoidance of doubt, the Command has put in place mechanisms to identify and prosecute those involved in such criminal acts.
“Henceforth, anyone caught removing, defacing or destroying campaign posters or bill boards of their political opponents or those found breaching any part of the Electoral Law will be apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with extant Laws,” the release warned.
The Commissioner boss called on politicians and stakeholders in Akwa Ibom State to call their supporters to order and to eschew politics of bitterness, hate speeches and anything that will overheat the polity, noting that the command “will not hesitate to deal decisively with anyone caught inany act that is likely to cause a breach of the peace being enjoyed by Akwa Ibom people.”
He assured Akwa Ibom State people of the police continued security, before, during and after the 2019 general elections.
