A head of next year’s general elections, anyone caught defacing or vandalising approved billboards or outdoor advertising will be sanctioned in Kwara State, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed said yesterday.

About a fortnight ago, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused each other of allegedly destroying billboards in Ilorin, the state capital.

Ahmed urged parties, politicians and other stakeholders to comply with the rules of outdoor advertising and signage to maintain integrity and professionalism in the sector.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Elder Peter Kishra, spoke yesterday in Ilorin at a stakeholders’ forum organised by the State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KWSSAA).

Ahmed said: “As we approach another general elections, outdoor advertising is likely to play a more pivotal role in political campaigns.

“Therefore, anyone or group who defaces or otherwise destroys any approved billboard or other outdoor advertising will be breaking the law and will be dealt with accordingly.

“To me, the answer to the often-violent struggle for political power in this country, especially during elections, is very simple. If you do what the people want or inspire hope in them, they will vote for you, even if the opposition tears down all your posters and tramples on your billboards.

“On the other hand, a thousand billboards will not get you elected, if the voting public has no confidence in you or in your capacity to deliver what they want at the time they want it.”

The governor urged KWSSAA to “develop creative ideas and business processes that will be of benefit to all stakeholders in the industry”.

The agency’s General Manager Ahmmed Olufadi said KWSSAA’s task is to attract further investment into the state.

He said: “Like other regulatory bodies, our task is huge and challenging. This is the reason we are soliciting for your understanding to attract further investment into the state.

“May I make it clear that we are out to make sure you are in business? We are ever ready to listen to your input and how best to achieve our mutually beneficial desired objectives.

“At this forum, I am pleased to meet with you. I hope this will be the beginning of a better system for controlling advertisement displays, which is fair, balanced, consistent, efficient and to promote an aesthetics and safe environment in the state.”