RismadarVoice Reporters
October 6, 2026
The Benue State Government and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, are at odds over plans to remove unauthorised billboards across the state as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The state government on Tuesday gave individuals, groups and political parties operating billboards without the required approvals two weeks to regularise them, warning that enforcement would begin on October 20.
The directive involves the Benue State Signage and Advertisement Agency, the Benue State Internal Revenue Service and the Urban Development Board.
Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, said some billboards had been erected without permits from the signage agency, clearance from the Urban Development Board or payment of prescribed fees.
According to the government, the practice breaches existing regulations, deprives the state of revenue and raises public safety and urban development concerns.
The government said the two-week grace period, which began on October 6, was intended to give affected billboard owners an opportunity to comply before enforcement begins.
Owners have been directed to approach the relevant authorities to obtain permits and development clearance and settle applicable charges.
Iorpev warned that billboards that remain unauthorised after the deadline would be removed at the owners’ expense, adding that enforcement would apply irrespective of status, affiliation or political party.
The directive comes amid an existing dispute between the government and the opposition PDP over the regulation of political campaign materials in the state.
The PDP has accused the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia of using billboard regulations to restrict opposition political activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
The party, through its State Publicity Secretary, Bright Antyo, has argued that regulations governing campaign materials must be implemented fairly and should not be used to give any political party an advantage.
The PDP has also previously complained about the destruction and removal of some of its campaign billboards in parts of the state and called for investigations into those incidents.
It urged civil society organisations, security agencies, election stakeholders and the media to monitor the treatment of political campaign materials to ensure equal application of the rules.
The state government, however, maintains that its enforcement measures are regulatory rather than partisan and has said there would be no exemption based on political affiliation.
Billboard owners now have until October 20 to regularise affected structures before enforcement teams begin removing those that remain non-compliant.
