The Chairman of Bida Local Government Area of Niger State, Rt. Hon. Usman Mohammed Manko, also known as Danmajen Nupe, has reportedly directed the removal of campaign billboards belonging to opposition politicians in the area, prompting calls for an explanation from one of the affected political groups.
The development has generated questions among opposition supporters, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
One of the billboards reportedly affected belongs to Muhammed Rabiu Sadiq, a senatorial candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). A notice pasted on the billboard simply reads: “Please remove: By Bida Local Government.”
Similarly, the media team of Hon. Muhammad Abubakar Abacon, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the Bida–Gbako–Katcha Federal Constituency, has questioned the basis for the removal of a billboard bearing his campaign message.
The billboard is located around St. John, ESO, Bida, Niger State.
In a statement issued on Sunday, September 13, 2026, the Abacon media team said it had become aware that the billboard was served with a removal notice purportedly issued on the authority of the local government chairman.
Rather than confront the council, the team said it was seeking clarification on the reason for the directive.
“As concerned members of the community, we respectfully seek clarification on this matter,” the statement said.
The team said it was not challenging the authority of the council chairman but wanted to understand whether the billboard had violated any regulation or whether there was another reason for the directive.
“This is not about stubbornness, confrontation, or trying to challenge constituted authority. Rather, as people who are still in the dark concerning the reason behind the directive, we believe it is only fair to understand why the billboard was asked to be removed from that particular location,” it said.
The campaign team raised a number of questions concerning the directive, including whether the location had been considered unsuitable or whether the billboard had failed to obtain the required approval.
It also asked whether the billboard contravened any existing rule or by-law, or whether the council had another reason for ordering its removal.
“Was the location found to be unsuitable?
“Was there an issue concerning approval, permission, or regulation?
“Did the billboard contravene any existing rule or by-law?
“Or is there another reason known to the relevant authority?”
According to the team, the need for clarification was heightened by the political nature of the billboard and the proximity of the 2027 elections.
“We believe that when a directive affects political communication, especially during a period leading to an election, clarity and transparency are important,” it said.
The group added that it would comply with any legitimate regulatory requirement if the council provided the basis for its action.
“If there is a genuine regulatory reason, we respectfully ask that it be made known so that everyone can understand and comply accordingly,” the statement said.
The Abacon media team further appealed for any regulation governing political advertisements and billboards to be applied equally to all political actors in the local government area.
“Our intention is not to create unnecessary controversy or disrespect the office of the Local Government Chairman. We simply seek understanding, fairness and equal application of the rules to all political actors,” it said.
The team said open communication between citizens and public authorities would help prevent unnecessary tension over the matter.
“Leadership is strengthened when citizens can ask questions respectfully, and citizens are equally strengthened when those in authority provide clear answers,” it added.
Reiterating its position, the team said: “We are not here to fight. We are only asking: What is the reason for the removal notice?
“Let the matter be clarified peacefully and transparently.”
The statement was signed by the Hon. Abacon media team on September 13, 2026.
The reported removal of the billboards comes as political parties and aspirants gradually step up mobilisation and visibility campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, the specific reason for the reported directive by the Bida Local Government chairman could not be independently established as of press time.
It was also unclear whether the directive was targeted specifically at opposition campaign materials or formed part of a broader regulation affecting political billboards belonging to all parties and candidates within the local government area.
The development comes against the backdrop of disputes in different parts of the country over the placement and removal of political campaign materials as parties begin preparations for the 2027 elections.
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