By Ijeoma Obioma
The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Benue State has warned trouble makers to desist from vandalising campaign billboards as the act could trigger crisis in the state.
Ortom,who handed down the warning on Saturday while condemning the destruction of campaign billboards mounted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in parts of Gboko, said, “the act is capable of triggering avoidable crises in the area.”
The governor,who sued for caution on the part of party supporters, stressed however, “that no individual or group has the right to pull down campaign materials of political opponents, no matter the circumstances.”
He further stressed that democracy guaranteed freedom of participation to everyone, adding that no individual had the constitutional authority to intimidate or harass others.
He also noted in the statement signed by his spokesman, Terver Akase, that the introduction of electronic voting had strengthened the country’s electoral system, pointing out that anyone, confident about his or her chances at the polls, should canvass for votes among the people rather than attacking other contestants.
Ortom, therefore, urged security operatives to investigate the incidents in Gboko and bring those responsible to justice, to serve as a deterrent to others.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
