Ondo APC Backers Demand Arrests After Tinubu Billboard Attacks, Spotlight Growing Political Tensions Ahead of 2027 Elections!

Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan, Editor‑in‑chief | Journalist at Sele Media Africa

In Akure, Ondo State — A politically charged dispute in Ondo State has escalated into a public appeal for law enforcement intervention after a series of vandalism incidents against billboards promoting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership and re‑election support. Support groups aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are urging authorities to arrest those they accuse of attacking campaign materials, characterising the acts as threats to democratic expression and political stability ahead of Nigeria’s broadly anticipated 2027 general elections.

At the heart of the controversy are multiple billboard installations across key locations in Akure — including St Peter’s Unity, Road Block, and Airport Junction — that were defaced or destroyed in recent days, according to local reports and statements from APC‑aligned youth groups.

APC Backers Condemn Vandalism, Appeal for Arrests

On Friday, organizers of the Ondo Mandate Group (AMG) — a major APC support organisation — held a media briefing in Akure calling on security agencies to swiftly identify and apprehend those responsible for the attacks. The group’s Director‑General, Olumuyiwa Asagunla, described the acts of destruction as an “attack on democratic culture” and said that political expression should never “descend into vandalism.”

Asagunla reaffirmed the group’s resolve to continue grassroots mobilisation across Ondo’s 203 wards despite the intimidation, insisting that its campaign efforts aim to secure a decisive victory for President Tinubu’s re‑election bid in 2027. He also took the occasion of the Easter celebration to urge Christians to embrace values of humility, sacrifice, and peaceful civic engagement — framing the appeal against vandalism within broader societal expectations of tolerance and respect for diverse political views.

“Our mobilisation machinery is reaching every hamlet, every market and every constituency. The message is clear: Ondo State will speak with one loud voice for President Tinubu in 2027,” Asagunla was quoted as saying.

Youth Voices and Evidence Claims

Complementing the AMG’s appeal, another APC‑affiliated group — the Akure Youth for BTO — publicly condemned the destruction of its own batch of campaign billboards, also labelling the attacks “criminal” and undemocratic. The group claims to have surveillance footage identifying perpetrators and says it possesses evidence that will be shared with security agencies if further acts of vandalism occur.

Faloye Olanrewaju Johnson, a central youth leader for the group, emphasised that while the immediate priority remains peace and a non‑violent campaign environment, additional vandalism will trigger legal action, including the submission of evidence to both security agencies and the public.

Broader Patterns and Political Context

This week’s incidents in Ondo State are part of broader political activity and contention ahead of the 2027 poll cycle. Earlier this year, youth organisations in the state vowed to deliver substantial vote counts for President Tinubu, underlining strong grassroots momentum for his continued leadership.

However, reports of billboard removal or destruction in Ondo and other Nigerian states are not entirely new. Support groups previously raised alarms in August 2025 when pro‑Tinubu signage was removed amid internal disagreements over campaign strategies and coordination among affiliated groups.

The latest wave of targeted vandalism unfolds against a backdrop of intensifying party realignment and competitive politics nationwide. APC officials at state and national levels have emphasised unity and discipline, while confronting internal disputes and countering claims from opposition parties about alleged suppression and political bias.

Democratic Freedoms, Rule of Law, and Civic Space

Analysts observing the situation frame the vandalism of political billboards as more than isolated acts of property damage: they are seen as symbolic of deeper challenges to political expression and civic space in Nigeria’s competitive multi‑party system. Billboards are a commonplace tool for political communication, and their destruction has, in various contexts, raised concerns about respect for democratic norms, freedom of expression, and the rule of law.

While campaign materials naturally reflect partisan perspectives, legal frameworks within Nigeria — including provisions on free speech and political participation — are designed to ensure peaceful and inclusive political engagement without intimidation or suppression. Law enforcement’s response to the appeals from APC‑aligned groups may therefore be scrutinised not only in terms of efficiency but also in how it reinforces the impartial application of law across differing political actors.

Security specialists and civil society advocates have underscored that upholding the rule of law — including prosecuting criminal damage irrespective of political affiliation — is crucial to preserving trust in the democratic process. In this vein, calls for arrests resonate beyond party lines to touch on citizens’ confidence in institutions tasked with safeguarding political liberties.

Local Governance and Election Preparedness

Within Ondo State specifically, political buzz has been heightened by recent rallies and advocacy efforts by APC leaders and supporters. Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has led solidarity events aimed at galvanising support for Tinubu and strengthening party structures ahead of the next general election.

State party officials have also previously emphasised the importance of internal unity and disciplined mobilisation to secure success in both local and federal contests. These ongoing preparations illustrate how state‑level dynamics are interwoven with national party aspirations — and how disruptions, such as billboard vandalism, are interpreted within larger narratives about competitiveness, grassroots support, and public perception.

Reactions and Stakeholder Perspectives

Not all reactions to the vandalism have been confined to APC supporters. Some civic commentators have noted that political advertising and signage inherently play a role in democratic engagement, but their removal, damage, or manipulation — whether by individuals or rival groups — signals a need for broader political tolerance and decorum. Such interventions invite stakeholders across Nigeria’s political spectrum to reflect on the costs and consequences of escalating tensions as the 2027 elections approach.

Opposition parties, while not directly implicated in the current billboard disputes, have in the past voiced concerns about political space and equal opportunity during election cycles. On other fronts, national APC representatives have been engaged in political defence — countering accusations from rival entities about systematic disadvantages or partisan manipulation of electoral processes.

Looking Ahead

As calls grow louder in Ondo for security agencies to act, the spotlight is likely to stay fixed on how state and federal institutions respond. The manner in which law enforcement addresses allegations of vandalism against political materials may reverberate in public discourse about electoral fairness, civic rights, and the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic framework.

For now, APC‑aligned groups remain undeterred in their mobilisation efforts, pledging continued outreach and visibility across communities, even as they pursue accountability for what they describe as deliberate attempts to suppress political expression. The unfolding developments in Ondo State — both symbolic and substantive — will continue to shape perceptions of democratic readiness in the lead‑up to one of Nigeria’s most consequential elections.

Sources:

• PUNCH Nigeria: APC group seeks arrest of Tinubu billboard vandals in Ondo (April 4, 2026)
• Vanguard Nigeria: Akure youths condemn destruction of Tinubu’s campaign billboards (April 4, 2026)
• Guardian Nigeria: Easter: AMG urges sacrifice, humility, cautions against political intimidation in Ondo (April 4, 2026)
• Western Post: Tinubu support group berates billboard destruction, vandalism in Akure (April 2026)
• Vanguard Nigeria: 2027: We’ll deliver million votes for Tinubu – Ondo Youth Alliance for Tinubu (OYAT) (March 2026)