CITIZENS COMPASS— The candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) for Ikorodu Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Prince Kehinde Oyefusi, on Monday, called for political tolerance over the reported removal of his campaign banners.
In a statement made available to Citizens Compass, Oyefusi urged the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ikorodu Division to investigate the alleged removal and destruction of his campaign materials and prevent further occurrences.
He said that similar incidents had previously been reported at Odogiyan and other locations, adding that another campaign banner was recently removed at Isiu.
According to him, an eyewitness reportedly saw individuals believed to be from another party removing the banner, a development he said required a fair investigation.
Oyefusi urged the APC leadership to investigate the incident and take appropriate measures to ensure that political activities were conducted peacefully.
He said political competition should focus on ideas, policies, leadership records and service to the people rather than the removal or destruction of opponents’ campaign materials.
The ADC candidate stressed that every political aspirant had the right to campaign peacefully and present their vision to the electorate within the law, irrespective of party affiliation.
“The removal of campaign posters and banners cannot determine the will of the people. Ultimately, the electorate has the right to decide who represents them,” he said.
Oyefusi called on political leaders to caution their supporters against actions capable of undermining peaceful political engagement.
He added that any established wrongdoing should be addressed in accordance with the law.
He emphasised that his appeal was not intended to provoke confrontation but to promote restraint, accountability, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence among political parties.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, Oyefusi urged political parties to demonstrate commitment to democratic principles by allowing opponents to campaign without intimidation, obstruction or destruction of campaign materials.
He noted that political differences should not become a source of hostility, stressing that residents of Ikorodu shared the same communities and would continue to live together beyond the elections.
The ADC candidate therefore urged the leadership of the ruling party in Ikorodu Division to discourage acts of intimidation and support an environment in which all candidates could freely engage the electorate.
“Let the contest be about ideas, performance and the people’s aspirations, not the destruction of campaign materials,” he said.
Oyefusi added that democracy thrived when citizens could make informed choices without intimidation or suppression of opposing voices.
“Democracy belongs to the people. Let their choices be determined by their convictions, not by intimidation or the suppression of opposing voices,” he said.
