By Umar Dankano Yola.
The Adamawa State Government has reacted to the chief Magistrate court ruling that fined the African Democratic Congress ADC gubernatorial candidate Engineer Umar Suleiman N3Million over alleged defacement of public infrastructures with campaign posters.
Recall that Suleiman was arraigned and convicted by the court in Yola on Thursday in a suit instituted against him by the state government and Attorney General accusing of violating the executive order prohibiting pasting campaign posters indiscriminately on public infrastructures.
Disclosing the position of the government at a press conference in Yola on Thursday, Chief Press secretary to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, Humwashi Wonosikou insisting that the issue goes beyond politics as it concerns respect for the law, protection of public assets, and preservation of the dignity of our capital city.
Wonosikou said that the government has watched with concern the indiscriminate pasting of campaign posters and political materials on flyovers, bridges, public buildings, streetlights, road medians and other public infrastructure.
Wonosikou noted that these facilities were built with public funds to improve the quality of life of our people. They are not campaign boards for political organisations or individual aspirants.
“The position of government is neither new nor selective. The law prohibiting the defacement of public property has always existed, and it applies equally to everyone, regardless of political party or social standing.
“Those who imagined that the government would look away have now been confronted by the verdict of the law. In a landmark case, a political candidate who violated this provision was prosecuted, found liable by a competent court, and ordered to pay a fine of ₦3 million.
“That judgment has settled the matter beyond public debate. It has demonstrated that the law is enforceable and that government possesses both the legal authority and the resolve to protect public property.This was never about politics. It was about responsibility.
“No responsible government can spend billions of naira beautifying cities, constructing modern flyovers, improving road corridors and restoring public infrastructure, only to watch those same facilities become canvases for indiscriminate poster campaigns.
“Every poster pasted illegally on government infrastructure diminishes the collective investment of the people of Adamawa State.Government therefore wishes to make its position unmistakably clear. The era of impunity is over.
“The law will be enforced without fear or favour. Members of the ruling party and the opposition stand on equal footing before the law. No individual will receive preferential treatment because of political affiliation, influence or office”. Wonosikou emphasized.
He added that, Political participation is a constitutional right. Vandalising public infrastructure is not therefore encourage all political actors to pursue lawful and responsible avenues for public engagement.
“Approved billboards, flex banners, designated advertising spaces, newspapers, radio, television, digital media, town hall meetings and other legitimate platforms remain available for campaigns.
“What is prohibited is the illegal defacement of public property.Governm ent has directed all relevant agencies to strengthen surveillance across the state. Violators will be identified, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“Recent judicial action has already shown that these are not empty words but a commitment backed by legal authority.Adamawa belongs to all of us.
“The beauty of our cities, the integrity of our public infrastructure and the rule of law must never become casualties of political ambition.
“This administration remains committed to protecting every public asset built with taxpayers’ money and will continue to uphold the law firmly, fairly and without exception”.Wonosikou warned
However some political analysts viewed the development as politically motivated considering the political activities happening in the state describing it as a “political victimization” with a view to demarket him in the 2027 gubernatorial election in the state.
