2027: NDC Candidate Accuses LASAA of Selectively Removing Her Campaign Banners in Surulere

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Surulere Federal Constituency I, Dr Adefolaseye Adebayo, has accused the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) of selectively removing her campaign banners while leaving those of candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in place.

Adebayo, a medical surgeon, made the allegation during an interview with Channels Television, claiming that the removal of her campaign materials began shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) opened the campaign period for the 2027 elections.

She said supporters alerted her that officials were taking down her banners from various locations across the constituency.

“On my way from work, someone called me that my banners were being taken away from different locations all over Surulere, and it was specifically my banners alone,” Adebayo said.

According to the NDC candidate, she later confronted the officials carrying out the removals and was told they were acting on behalf of LASAA.

Adebayo said the officials explained that streetlight poles and other public infrastructure had been allocated to government-approved outdoor advertising practitioners. However, she questioned the explanation, alleging that APC campaign materials remained at some of the same locations where hers had been removed.

“I noticed that at one particular spot, my banner with the state assembly candidates… was there, but mine wasn’t picked,” she said.

The incident, she alleged, convinced her that she was being targeted because of her political affiliation.

“That was when I knew that there was sort of witch hunting… that was when I knew something is going on that I’m being victimized,” Adebayo said.

Despite her allegation, the NDC candidate said she had no plans to take legal action against LASAA and would instead replace the campaign materials that were removed.

“I won’t sue them… I will just thank them for giving me this publicity because if they didn’t pick it, I’m sure nobody would,” she said.

Adebayo also defended her decision to combine her medical career with politics, saying professionals should participate directly in governance rather than remain outside the political system while criticising its shortcomings.

“I’m an active surgeon. I intend to break the jinx that you can’t do the two together,” she said, adding, “If you don’t come into the game of politics, you can’t keep complaining.”

On her legislative priorities, Adebayo said she would focus on increasing women’s political participation, economic independence and capacity building if elected.

She rejected the idea that empowering women should be limited to financial handouts, arguing that women should instead be equipped with opportunities and resources that can support their long-term independence.

“Empowering doesn’t mean giving women handouts, fifty thousand,” she said. “Women are capable, and women are the best leaders. When women get into something, they put their whole hearts into it.”