By DADA AYOKHAI
The campaign organisation of the PDP candidate for Owan West State Constituency, Barr. Frank Unuigboje, has accused the former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, of being behind the destruction of its campaign billboards ahead of the visit of the state governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to the local government.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, the organisation alleged that about nine billboards belonging to the PDP candidate were destroyed by thugs loyal to Agbebaku to create the impression for the governor that the local government is free of opposition.
It further alleged that banners and billboards belonging to other political parties were also destroyed, especially those erected along the routes the governor was expected to use during the visit.
Governor Okpebholo had visited the local government in continuation of his tour of LGAs in the state to galvanise support for President Bola Tinubu and other party candidates.
The party claimed it has become a recurrent pattern with the suspended Speaker, from his days in the PDP to his new party, the APC.
The campaign team described the incident as a disturbing development that raises serious concerns about the growing level of political intolerance in the constituency.
”Frank Unuigboje is presenting himself to the people of Owan West with a message centred on Real Development and Progress. His campaign represents his political right to communicate his vision to the electorate, just as every other candidate has the right to present his or her own message to the people.”
The organisation added that destroying a billboard does not erase a candidate’s name, vision or political ambition, and does not prevent the people from asking questions about the leadership they want.
