Billboards belonging to Senator Saliu Mustapha, strategically positioned across Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, were dismantled on Friday, stirring reactions.
The removal occurred mere hours after Mustapha, who is the Turaki of Ilorin and represents Kwara Central in the National Assembly, announced a donation of ₦500 million for the construction of a pavilion at the Emir of Ilorin’s palace. The pavilion, intended for the annual meetings of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union, aims to replace the use of rented canopies for the events.
The donation was announced during the 59th Annual General Meeting of the IEDPU, held on Wednesday at the forecourt of the Emir’s palace. Represented by Alhaji Uthman Ottan, the immediate past chairman of the IEDPU, Mustapha also pledged an additional ₦25 million to the union.
Other prominent contributions at the event included ₦100 million from the chief launcher, Ambassador Yahaya Seriki, and a promise by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to complete all ongoing union projects.
The senator’s billboards, which carried Christmas greetings to Christians in the state, were installed at key locations, including Taiwo/Unity Road Junction, Police ‘A’ Division, Maraba, and the Tunde Idiagbon International Airport exit gate. However, videos circulating on social media on Friday showed individuals dismantling the billboards.
Political observers have attributed the incident to deepening rivalries within the ruling All Progressives Congress in Kwara State, particularly as the 2027 senatorial and governorship elections draw closer.
An anonymous political analyst told our correspondent, “The billboard removals reflect the underlying ‘cold war’ between the governor and Senator Mustapha, highlighting the deepening political competition within the party in Kwara State.”
Senator Mustapha’s media aide, Andulkareem Alabi, confirmed the removal of the billboards but rejected claims linking the incident to the state government.
Andulkareem said, “The removal of the billboards was perpetrated by some hoodlums. The state government should not be linked with such an incident.”
Meanwhile, the General Manager of the Kwara State Signage and Advertising Agency, Alhaji Ismail Asukuti, provided a different explanation. He stated that the removals were due to construction work in certain areas and the non-payment of advertising fees.
“Senator Mustapha’s billboard at Police ‘A’ Division was removed because of the construction work in the area. The company handling the construction work on the overhead bridge had marked that the billboard in that area should be removed, while the billboard at Maraba was not paid for by the senator. This is against the advertising law,” Asukuti explained.
The incident sparked mixed reactions on social media, with many Facebook users condemning the removal and urging law enforcement agencies to investigate.
Aliyu Uthman commented, “We all understand what is going on. It’s all about politics, but I plead with both parties not to cause commotion in this state. God bless Kwara and Nigeria.”
Magaji Murtala added, “This is pure jealousy. Many people cannot feign ignorance about the destruction of the billboards.”
Ambali Lateef Solihu expressed concern, saying, “Very interesting. Those who are behind this unfortunate trend should be brought to justice and made to face severe consequences. This will teach others a lesson and prevent further occurrences of such incidents.”
Others called for peace, urging political actors to avoid actions that could escalate tensions. Abdulhafees Tosin Sulyman wrote, “All we want in Kwara is peace, and let the people’s choice prevail,” while Hakeem Hussain added, “Let us sustain the peace in Kwara, please. God bless Kwara.”
