2019 election: Ondo signage talks tough against defacing campaign posters

AHEAD of the 2019 general elections in the country, the Ondo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OSSAA), has threatened to sanction erring politician or individual who floats its guidelines on the use of election campaign materials in the state.

The warning was issued by the Chairman of the OSSAA, Mr Akinwande Akinrodoye, who noted that the residents have been overwhelmed by several campaign posters, banners and billboards of various political parties without registering or obtaining a permit from the agency.

Akinwade who said the agency was established to align with the global advertising trends and standard practices said the agency was also put in place to ensure, improve and maintain the aesthetics and beauty of the state.

Akinrodoye, however, said: “It has come to the attention of the state government that across the state there are many outdoor advertisement and signs without compliance with the provisions of the extant law on same, which is, OSSAA law.

ALSO READ: Ogun: 10 political parties dissociate from adoption of APM guber candidate

“The law empowers the agency to enter into any property or premises for the purposes of carrying out inspection necessary for the proper administration of the law.

“Equally, owners and operators of existing outdoor structures are required to regularise their signage and advertisement structures with the agency and if not done, the agency shall with or without notice as it deems fit, direct the removal of same at the expense of the owner.”

According to him “the law prescribes that, corporate bodies, political parties, individuals and religious organisations having outdoor structures to register and obtain a permit from the agency before erecting, constructing, enlarging or structurally modifying any out of the home structure.

“The law establishing the agency which came into existence in 2011 is under- review to align with the global advertising trends and standard practices.”

He, however, declared that “the agency has resolved to bare its fangs on all structures including billboards, banners and pasting of posters illegally mounted or pasted by corporate bodies, political parties and religious groups in the state. In fact, all such structures are now to pay annual exposure fee.

“We urged all affected persons, groups, political parties; corporate entities and religious organisation in the state to remove all such structures that contravene this law.”

Akinrodoye however, urged politicians and political parties not to read political meaning to the directive but should see it as a revenue generating exercise.

The Chairman stated that: “In view of the upcoming elections in few weeks; agency is in collaboration with the Police Force on enforcement across the 18 LGA to better report the activities of political parties and its candidates in respect to its campaign visibility and branding exploitations, which include, car branding, Posters, Campaign office branding, billboard executions & roadshow amongst others.

“It is important to stress here that any person who violates any of the provisions of the signage and advertisement law or does anything in order to stultify the application of the law or continue to be in breach of the law by displaying or permitting the display of unauthorised outdoor structures shall be guilty of an offence and liable to punishment (s) and sanctions provided under the law.

Political Parties and their candidates are implored to comply with the agency by paying its dues to the government on campaign visibility.