The Benue State Government and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have disagreed over the planned removal of unauthorised billboards across the state, with the government citing regulatory compliance while the PDP has questioned the timing of the enforcement ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The state government, through the Benue State Signage and Advertisement Agency, Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) and the Urban Development Board, on Tuesday issued a two-week ultimatum to owners and operators of unauthorised billboards to regularise their structures or face removal.

The directive, contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Solomon Iorpev, stated that enforcement would begin on October 20, 2026.

According to the government, the agencies had observed the “arbitrary erection of billboards” across the state without the necessary permits, clearances and payment of prescribed fees.

Iorpev said the practice violated existing regulations, deprived the state of legitimate revenue and raised concerns about public safety and orderly urban development.

The government, however, said it was providing a two-week grace period to allow affected billboard owners to comply rather than immediately remove the structures.

The commissioner urged owners and operators to approach the Benue State Signage and Advertisement Agency to begin the permit process, obtain the required clearance from the Urban Development Board and pay applicable fees.

He warned that enforcement would commence on Tuesday, October 20, without another notice and that billboards removed would be taken down at the owners’ cost.

Iorpev also said the enforcement would apply regardless of the owner’s status, affiliation or political party.
However, the PDP has rejected the government’s explanation and alleged that the directive could be politically motivated.

In a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Bright Antyo, the opposition party described the planned exercise as an attempt to restrict opposition campaign activities ahead of the 2027 election.

The PDP said opposition billboards carrying messages on security, economic conditions and political change had recently appeared in major towns and communities across the state.

The party questioned why the signage regulations were being vigorously enforced at this particular period, alleging that the timing could affect the visibility of opposition political messages.

“If the Alia administration was genuinely interested in enforcing signage laws, why did it wait until now?” the party asked.

The PDP further alleged that government agencies could be used against political opponents and warned against what it described as selective enforcement.

It called on civil society organisations, election observers, the media, security agencies and other stakeholders to monitor the implementation of the directive.

The party also urged the state government to reverse the planned enforcement, arguing that political competition should be based on public confidence, governance and competing policy proposals rather than the removal of campaign materials.

The government, however, maintains that the exercise is a regulatory measure intended to address unauthorised billboard structures and ensure compliance with state requirements.

The dispute comes as political activity gradually intensifies ahead of the 2027 elections, placing greater attention on the use of public spaces for political communication and campaign materials.

The key issue now is whether billboard owners, including political actors, will use the two-week window to regularise their structures before enforcement begins on October 20.

Benue Info-pedia will continue to monitor the implementation of the directive and report developments, including any enforcement action, responses from affected billboard owners and further statements from the government or political parties.