If you have been tearing down the posters of the candidate you do not like, the Nigeria Police Force says it is time to stop. Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu has directed Commissioners of Police in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to act against people who destroy or deface the campaign posters and billboards of political opponents as the 2027 general elections draw closer.
The directive was announced on Wednesday in a statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, according to Naija News. In it, the police describe the trend as political intolerance and warn that those caught will be arrested and taken to court.
Not just the boys on the street
The warning goes beyond the people physically ripping posters off walls. According to the statement, anybody who hires, encourages or makes it easier for others to carry out such acts will also face the law, provided evidence links them to the damage. That puts political sponsors, and not only street-level thugs, on notice.
The police also pointed to the legal basis for the crackdown, saying the destruction or unlawful removal of a rival's campaign materials may amount to malicious damage. The statement cites Section 451 of the Criminal Code Act, which applies in southern states, and Section 326 of the Penal Code Law, which deals with the offence of mischief.
What the police statement said
The statement opened by describing the situation across the country: "The Nigeria Police Force has observed with serious concern the growing incidents of deliberate tearing, defacement and destruction of political campaign posters, banners and billboards belonging to candidates and political parties across the country ahead of the 2027 General Elections."
It continued: "The Force strongly condemns this act of political intolerance and warns political thugs, hoodlums and other mischief-makers involved to desist immediately."
On the law, the police said: "For the avoidance of doubt, destroying, defacing or unlawfully removing another candidate's campaign posters and billboards may constitute malicious damage, which is a criminal offence under applicable criminal laws (Section 451 of the Criminal Code Act and Sections 326 of the Penal Code Law, which defines the offence of mischief). Political differences or loyalty to a particular party do not give anyone the right to destroy another candidate's property or infringe on their right to campaign freely."
The Force also stressed that no party is above another: "The Force reiterates that all political parties and candidates, irrespective of their affiliation or status, are entitled to equal protection under the law. No individual or group has the right to determine whose campaign materials should be displayed or destroyed."
