Rivers State Advertising Businesses Face Alleged Interference from Local Government…

Advertising practitioners in Rivers State have raised concerns regarding alleged interference in their outdoor advertising businesses by some local government council chairmen. The practitioners stated that they were facing political targeting, which they claimed was carried out by exploiting constitutional provisions related to outdoor advertising. The alleged issues included demands of up to ₦30 million per billboard stand, the removal of paid advertisements, and the unauthorized pasting of political messages on their structures.

The complaints center on the alleged misuse of local government authority to target opposition politicians and perceived political opponents through the advertising sector. The practitioners called upon the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria and the Rivers State Signage and Advertising Agency to intervene and protect their investments.