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Billboards belonging to Senator Saliu Mustapha, which had been strategically erected across Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, were removed on Friday.
The removal of the billboards came just hours after he announced a donation of ₦500 million to construct a pavilion at the Emir of Ilorin’s palace. The pavilion is intended for use during the annual Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union meetings.
Mustapha, who is the Turaki of Ilorin and represents Kwara Central in the National Assembly, had earlier installed the billboards to convey Christmas greetings to Christians in the state.
His donation announcement was made during the 59th Annual General Meeting of the IEDPU, held at the forecourt of the Emir’s palace on Wednesday.
At the event, where Mustapha was represented by Alhaji Uthman Ottan, the immediate past IEDPU chairman, he pledged ₦25 million in addition to the pavilion project, which is aimed at ending the practice of holding union meetings under rented canopies.
Other prominent figures also made significant contributions, including the chief launcher, Ambassador Yahaya Seriki, who donated ₦100 million, and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who promised to complete all ongoing union projects.
However, some of Mustapha’s billboards at key locations, such as Taiwo/Unity Road Junction, Police ‘A’ Division, Maraba, and the Tunde Idiagbon International Airport exit gate, were removed on Friday. A viral Facebook video shows an individual dismantling one of the billboards displaying the senator’s Christmas message.
Political observers have linked the incident to internal rivalries within the ruling APC as preparations for the 2027 senatorial and governorship elections intensify.
An anonymous political analyst who spoke to our correspondent on Friday stated that 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.
The media aide to Mustapha, Andulkareem Alabi, confirmed the removal of the billboards but stated that the state government should not be linked to the incident.
Andulkareem said, “The removal of the billboards was perpetrated by some hoodlums. The state government should not be linked with such an incident.”
However, the General Manager of the Kwara State Signage and Advertising Agency, Alhaji Ismail Asukuti, also confirmed the incident.
He explained that some of the billboards were removed due to construction work in the area, as well as the non-payment of advertisement fees.
Asukuti said, “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.”
Nevertheless, some Facebook users condemned the removal of the billboards and called on law enforcement agencies to investigate the perpetrators, arrest them, and prosecute them in court.
A Facebook user, Aliyu Uthman wrote, “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.”
Another Facebook user, Magaji Murtala, said, “This is pure jealousy. Many people cannot feign ignorance about the destruction of the billboards,” while Ambali Lateef Solihu wrote, “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 all parties to avoid escalating tensions. Abdulhafees Tosin Sulyman wrote, “All we want in Kwara is peace, and let the people’s choice prevail,” while Hakeem Hussain said, “Let us sustain the peace in Kwara, please. God bless Kwara.”
