APC Using Police to Protect Tinubu’s Billboards Instead of Nigerians — Atiku’s Aide Alleges

Fresh political controversy has erupted after Demola Olarewaju, an aide to former Vice President and African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential hopeful, Atiku Abubakar, accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, of deploying police officers to guard President Bola Tinubu’s campaign billboards instead of focusing on public security.

Olarewaju made the allegation while reacting to claims circulating on social media that police personnel were stationed around Ring Road in Edo State to prevent vandalism of Tinubu’s campaign billboards.

According to the post that sparked the reaction, officers were allegedly deployed in shifts to monitor and protect the billboards from suspected vandals.

Responding through his X account on Thursday, Olarewaju criticised the alleged deployment, saying it reflects misplaced priorities at a time when insecurity continues to affect many parts of Nigeria.

“APC will rather use police officers to guard Tinubu’s campaign billboards and fortify themselves than deploy them to protect Nigerians,” he wrote.

The opposition figure also accused President Tinubu of prioritising political power over governance and public welfare, warning Nigerians against repeating what he described as a failed leadership approach in the 2027 elections.

“Tinubu’s belief in politics for the sake of power and not policy is a mistake that must not be allowed to happen again in 2027,” Olarewaju added.

The comments come amid growing political tensions and increased public debate over security challenges across the country, including rising concerns over kidnappings, attacks on schools, and violent crimes in several states.

Neither the Edo State Government nor the Nigeria Police Force had officially responded to the claims as of the time of filing this report.

The allegation is also likely to deepen political exchanges between the ruling APC and opposition figures ahead of early 2027 election alignments already taking shape across the country.