The Chairman of Bida Local Government Area of Niger State, Rt. Hon. Usman Mohammed Manko, popularly known as Danmajen Nupe, has reportedly ordered the removal of billboards belonging to opposition politicians in the area, prompting questions from candidates and their supporters over the basis for the directive.
The development has attracted attention ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition politicians seeking clarification on whether the removal notices are based on existing regulations, approval requirements or other considerations.
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 reads:
“Please remove: By Bida Local Government.”
The specific reason for the directive was not immediately established from the information available.
ADC Candidate Seeks Clarification
In a related development, the media team of Hon. Muhammad Abubakar Abacon, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the Bida–Gbako–Katcha Federal Constituency, has also raised concerns over a similar removal notice placed on his campaign billboard.
The billboard is located around St. John, ESO, Bida, Niger State.
In a statement issued on Sunday, September 13, 2026, Abacon’s media team said it had learnt that the billboard had been served with a notice directing its removal by the local government chairman.
Rather than confront the council authorities, the team said it was seeking an explanation for the directive.
“As concerned members of the community, we respectfully seek clarification on this matter,” the team said.
The media team stressed that its request was not intended to challenge the authority of the local government chairman or create unnecessary confrontation.
According to the statement, the team simply wants to understand why the billboard was targeted and whether the decision was based on an established regulation.
‘Was the Location Unsuitable?’
The ADC candidate’s media team raised several questions regarding the possible basis for the removal order.
It asked whether the location of the billboard had been considered unsuitable or whether there were issues relating to approval, permission or regulatory requirements.
Among the questions raised were:
- 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 was there another reason known to the relevant authority?
The team said answers to these questions would help political actors understand the basis of the directive and comply where necessary.
Calls for Transparency
The Abacon media team said transparency was particularly important because the directive involved political communication during the period leading up to an election.
“We believe that when a directive affects political communication, especially during a period leading to an election, clarity and transparency are important,” the statement said.
It added that if the removal was based on a legitimate regulatory requirement, the authorities should make the reason known.
“If there is a genuine regulatory reason, we respectfully ask that it be made known so that everyone can understand and comply accordingly.”
The team also called for any rules governing political billboards to be applied equally to all political parties and candidates.
‘Equal Application of the Rules’
According to the statement, the campaign team was not seeking preferential treatment for its candidate.
Rather, it said it wanted assurance that any regulations concerning campaign materials would apply equally to political actors regardless of their party affiliation.
“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,” the team said.
The statement argued that citizens should be able to ask questions respectfully when government directives affect their activities, while public authorities should provide clear explanations where necessary.
“Leadership is strengthened when citizens can ask questions respectfully, and citizens are equally strengthened when those in authority provide clear answers.”
‘We Are Not Here to Fight’
The campaign team reiterated that it was not looking for a confrontation with the Bida Local Government authorities.
It said its primary concern was to establish the reason behind the removal notice and resolve the matter peacefully.
“We are not here to fight. We are only asking: What is the reason for the removal notice?”
The team called for the matter to be clarified in a peaceful and transparent manner.
Reason for Directive Yet to Be Established
The specific reason given by the Bida Local Government chairman for ordering the removal of the billboards was not immediately ascertained from the account provided.
It is also unclear whether the directive applies broadly to political billboards belonging to all parties or whether it concerns specific locations, permits, approvals or other regulatory requirements.
The absence of a stated reason has therefore become a central issue for the affected political actors, particularly as political activities increase ahead of the 2027 elections.
The development also comes amid reports of disputes over the placement and regulation of political campaign materials in different parts of the country.
For the affected candidates and their supporters, the immediate demand is for clarification on the basis of the removal notices and whether the same rules are being applied uniformly to all political parties and candidates in Bida.
