All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kwara State, yesterday urged the state police command to bring to book those behind the destruction of its bill boards erected at some strategic locations in Ilorin, the state capital and ensure that the matter was not swept under the carpet.

APC-PDP

APC chairman, Alhaji Ishola Balogun-Fulani, at briefing in Ilorin, warned: "If this violent trend is not arrested, it is capable of turning the state to a war-ridden zone."

He accused some thugs allegedly sponsored by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state of being responsible; noting that his party had lodged a formal complaint on the development with the Department of State Services, DSS, in the state and would officially write the state police command on the issue.

In a swift reaction, the opposition party, PDP, dismissed the allegations, saying it did not believe billboards could win elections.

However, Balogun-Fulani listed the areas where the APC's bill boards were destroyed to include General Hospital area, Queens School area, Garin-Alimi roundabout and Offa garage area, all in Ilorin metropolis.

He alleged that after the failed attempt to instigate the impeachment of the state governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed "as the PDP did in Adamawa State, events in Kwara State in the past few days point to a desperate attempt by the PDP and its sponsored political thugs to make Kwara State ungovernable through PDP-instigated political unrest and crises.

"Daunted and frightened by the rising popularity and acceptability of the APC and the APC-led performing government in Kwara State as shown by Kwarans during recent town hall meetings and the failure of its frivolous and inflammatory press statements to incite Kwarans against the government and the APC, the PDP which is renowned for thuggery and gangsterism has embarked on criminal activities.

"As we speak, billboards with inscription of APC logo and imprint of APC manifestos sponsored by APC members and erected at the frontage of their houses and junctions of their streets in Ilorin metropolis have been massively destroyed by PDP thugs in a clear attempt to provoke retaliation from APC members in order to set the ground for its evil plot to burn Kwara State.

"Kwarans have not heard the last of these criminal cases and we warn the police command not to sweep these pure criminal cases under the carpet. Kwarans deserve justice in the interest of peace in Kwara State.

Billboards do not win elections - PDP

But spokesperson of the PDP in the state, Chief Rex Olawoye, dismissed the APC's allegation, saying "that is what they have always been saying. They are not yet aware that they are becoming unpopular even among their members. If they are sure of their facts, let them publicly parade anyone caught in the act. Our party has no belief in billboards because that does not win elections.

"However, we can only be offended if the posters of candidates are defaced. We believe in peace even at the highest level of provocation. We have a focus and the focus is to occupy the Government House come 2015."