The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Rivers State has alerted security agencies over an alleged plot to destroy political billboards in Ikwerre Local Government Area and frame members of the opposition party.
The party alleged that individuals associated with the Rainbow Coalition were planning to produce and install political banners bearing the photographs of President Bola Tinubu, APC governorship candidate Hon. O.K. Chinda, Senator Allwell Onyeso and other political figures before allegedly destroying them.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its Rivers State Publicity Secretary, Chizy Enyi, the ADC said the information followed a meeting reportedly held at the Ikwerre Local Government Council.
The party claimed that the banners could be destroyed shortly after installation, possibly on the night of October 12, with the intention of falsely implicating its members.
While acknowledging that the allegations were yet to be independently verified, the ADC said the situation required urgent attention to prevent political tension, possible harassment and disruption of lawful political activities.
It called on the Rivers State Commissioner of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the reported meeting, monitor locations where political banners were being installed and identify those responsible for their production where evidence justified such inquiries.
The party also urged security agencies to ensure that any reported destruction of political materials was investigated independently before blame was assigned to any individual or political party.
The ADC further called for the protection of its members and supporters, as well as other citizens exercising their constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, association and political participation.
The party stated that it neither authorised nor condoned the destruction of political campaign materials belonging to any political organisation or individual.
It urged its members in Ikwerre LGA to remain peaceful and law-abiding, advising them to document suspicious activities where safe and report them to the appropriate security agencies.
The statement said the party raised the alarm to prevent a possible breach of the peace, rather than prejudge the outcome of any investigation.
The ADC called on security agencies to take preventive action to ensure that political parties in Rivers State could campaign without intimidation or unfounded accusations.
