Police warn against tearing rivals' campaign posters ahead of 2027

The Nigeria Police Force has warned politicians, their supporters and suspected thugs to stop tearing down or defacing campaign posters, banners and billboards belonging to rival candidates as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather pace.

In a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, the Force said it had noticed a rise in deliberate damage to campaign materials in different parts of the country and described it as political intolerance.

Force Public Relations Officer CSP Ani Iniedu said the police "strongly condemn this act of political intolerance” and asked those involved to stop at once. Vanguard gave the spokesman's name as Aniete Iniedu.

Why it matters

The police said damaging or unlawfully removing another candidate's posters and billboards can amount to malicious damage, which they said is a crime under Section 451 of the Criminal Code Act and Section 326 of the Penal Code Law, which covers mischief.

According to the statement, belonging to a different party or holding different views does not give anyone the right to destroy another candidate's property or stop them from campaigning.

The Force said every party and candidate is entitled to the same protection under the law, and that no person or group can decide whose campaign materials should stay up or be pulled down.

Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, named in some reports as Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has directed Commissioners of Police in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to act early to prevent such incidents, investigate complaints and make sure suspects are arrested and charged.

The police also warned that sponsors and people who recruit or encourage others to destroy campaign materials will be held responsible where evidence links them to it.

The Force asked parties, candidates and their supporters to campaign peacefully and respect the rights of others, saying political intolerance and intimidation must not be allowed to weaken Nigeria's democracy.

"The Nigeria Police Force will not allow political thugs and troublemakers to turn the nation's political environment into a theatre of lawlessness," the statement said, adding that anyone who breaks the law will face the consequences.

The warning comes as parties and candidates step up activities for the 2027 elections. For ordinary Nigerians, a campaign season marred by thugs and destroyed materials often means tension in their communities and, in past cycles, disrupted rallies and travel.

What happens next

State police commands are now expected to watch campaign grounds and respond to reports of damaged materials. The police did not say how many people have been arrested so far, or where the reported incidents happened.