The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the state government of deliberately restricting the opposition’s use of campaign billboards ahead of the 2026 governorship election.

In a statement issued on Friday, the APC chairman in the state, Tajudeen Lawal, alleged that the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke had instructed the state signage regulatory agency to suspend the approval of APC campaign billboards in parts of Osogbo.

According to Lawal, the directive was specifically targeted at the party and its governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, thereby creating an uneven political environment.

The statement claimed that the Osun Signage Agency was ordered not to approve the erection or posting of APC billboards within Osogbo, particularly along the Akoda axis through to the Osogbo City Stadium corridor, for a period leading up to the election.

Describing the move as an abuse of incumbency, the APC chairman said the action was designed to limit the visibility of the party’s campaign.

“The directive is oppressive, unlawful and intended to suppress opposition political activities,” Lawal said.

The party further alleged that the state government directed the signage agency to identify owners of existing billboards across Osogbo and compensate them for up to three years per billboard, a development the APC described as unusual and politically motivated.

Condemning the action as undemocratic, Lawal stated that the party would challenge the directive through all lawful means, insisting that it violates democratic norms and the constitutional right of political parties to campaign freely.

The APC also referenced the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), noting that the alleged directive contravenes national regulations governing political advertising.

Lawal added that the party had placed security agencies, including the Police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), on notice over the development.

The party urged the Adeleke administration to reverse the alleged policy and ensure a level playing field for all political parties ahead of the election.

Despite the development, the APC maintained that its governorship candidate would continue preparations for the poll, stressing that no administrative action would stop the party from engaging in lawful campaign activities across the state.

Efforts to obtain a response from the Osun State Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, were unsuccessful as calls to his phone were not returned.

2026 Poll: APC Alleges Billboard Ban Targeting Its Candidate in Osun

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