Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has cautioned those in the habit of destroying posters, billboards and other campaign materials of political opponents to desist from the act or be prepared to face punishment according to the law.
The Governor states that democracy guarantees freedom for everyone to campaign without molestation, and stresses that no individual or group has the right to pull down campaign materials of opponents.
He however advises political parties, their candidates and supporters to always ensure that their posters and billboards are mounted in approved locations and to desist from defacing Makurdi as well as other towns of the state with indiscriminate placement of campaign materials.
Governor Ortom says anyone who intends to erect a billboard should seek the approval of relevant government agencies.
Benue which has been a predominantly PDP State since the return of Democracy in 1999 is also home to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu.
Governor Samuel Ortom who initially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress returned to the Peoples Democratic Party in the period leading up to the 2019 Elections.
Governor Samuel Ortom is one of the G-5 Governors who have been at loggerheads with the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the National Chairman of the party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, over leadership and fairness within the party.
The governors who are led by the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, and included Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, have called for the resignation of the National Chairman of the Party.
They have also refused to participate in the Presidential Campaign Council of the Peoples Democratic Party until their demands for the resignation of the National Chairman of the party is met.
They also have Other demands which have not been expressly stated.
