From Joseph Asegba, Yola
The Adamawa State Government has secured the conviction of an African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship aspirant, Hon. Omar Suleiman, over alleged violation of laws prohibiting the defacement of public infrastructure.
The aspirant was fined N3 million by the court following charges relating to the illegal placement of campaign posters on public facilities.
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Humwashi Wonosikou, disclosed this during a press conference held in Yola on Thursday, saying the judgment affirmed the government’s authority to protect public assets.
Wonosikou described the prosecution as a move to enforce existing laws and not politically motivated, stressing that the regulation on campaign posters applied to all citizens and political parties.
He explained that the law prohibits indiscriminate pasting of posters on flyovers, bridges, public buildings, streetlights, road medians and other government-owned facilities.
According to him, public infrastructure was built with taxpayers’ money and should not be turned into unauthorised campaign advertising platforms.
The governor’s spokesperson said the court judgment had cleared doubts about the enforceability of the law, adding that no political party or individual would be given preferential treatment.
He urged political parties and their supporters to make use of approved billboards, designated advertising spaces, newspapers, radio, television, digital platforms and other lawful channels during campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wonosikou further disclosed that relevant government agencies had been directed to intensify monitoring across the state to ensure compliance with the law.
He warned that anyone found violating the regulations would face arrest and prosecution.
The Chief Press Secretary reiterated the administration’s commitment to protecting public property, promoting civic responsibility and enforcing the law fairly without exception.
