The simmering political contest ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State took a dramatic turn at the weekend as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) raised the alarm over the alleged illegal removal of its governorship campaign billboard in Ibadan, escalating what observers now describe as a full-blown billboard war among major political camps.
Oyo State Government officials were accused by the media team of the ADC governorship candidate, Olooye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke (FCA), of orchestrating the illegal removal of a billboard at Idi-Ape Junction, Ibadan, despite payment for the space remaining valid until August 20, 2026.
The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the candidate’s media office.
According to the ADC, the billboard, which featured Adegoke alongside the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, was allegedly replaced with another displaying Governor Seyi Makinde, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, the APM presidential candidate and the party’s Akinyele State House of Assembly candidate.
The opposition party insisted that it had fully settled all advertising fees and owed neither the billboard agency nor any government agency, describing the removal as unlawful and a dangerous signal for democratic politics in the state.
It further alleged that the action was politically motivated, claiming the billboard was removed because it carried the image of Atiku Abubakar.
In a strongly worded statement, the ADC warned against what it described as intimidation of opposition parties, insisting that no individual or government should act above the law by removing legally erected political advertisements.
The latest accusation has further heightened political tension over outdoor campaign visibility in Oyo State, coming barely days after another controversial billboard switch generated widespread public debate.
The earlier controversy centred on a prominent billboard in Ibadan which initially displayed President Bola Tinubu and APC governorship hopeful, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, but was later replaced with the images of Governor Makinde and APM governorship candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi.
In a strongly worded statement, the ADC warned against what it described as intimidation of opposition parties, insisting that no individual or government should act above the law by removing legally erected political advertisements.
The latest accusation has further heightened political tension over outdoor campaign visibility in Oyo State, coming barely days after another controversial billboard switch generated widespread public debate.
The earlier controversy centred on a prominent billboard in Ibadan which initially displayed President Bola Tinubu and APC governorship hopeful, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, but was later replaced with the images of Governor Makinde and APM governorship candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi.
The development fuelled fresh speculations over the governor’s political succession plan and the intensifying battle for public space ahead of the 2027 elections.
Political observers believe the latest developments have transformed billboards into another battleground in Oyo’s unfolding governorship race, with parties increasingly using strategic outdoor advertising to project strength and shape public perception long before official campaigns commence.
With the ADC now openly accusing the state government of suppressing opposition visibility, and the earlier billboard replacement still generating political conversations, analysts say the struggle for Oyo Government House has clearly extended beyond party meetings and rallies to the streets, where towering billboards are becoming powerful symbols of the fierce contest for 2027.
Political observers believe the latest developments have transformed billboards into another battleground in Oyo’s unfolding governorship race, with parties increasingly using strategic outdoor advertising to project strength and shape public perception long before official campaigns commence.
With the ADC now openly accusing the state government of suppressing opposition visibility, and the earlier billboard replacement still generating political conversations, analysts say the struggle for Oyo Government House has clearly extended beyond party meetings and rallies to the streets, where towering billboards are becoming powerful symbols of the fierce contest for 2027.
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