The management of the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency says it has concluded plans to sue the Peoples Democratic Party and its affiliates for what it termed as a brazen violation of its constitutional mandate.
The agency’s lawyer, Mr. Hafiz Shoremi-Balogun of Messrs Priory Terrace Solicitors, told journalists that work had been done on the courts processes which would be filed immediately the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN called off its strike, a statement said on Thursday.
Shoremi-Balogun said, “The hallmark of every civilised society is supremacy of law. No one is above the law. Every person, institution and authority is required to comply with the spirit and letter of the law. It is therefore illegal for the PDP and its sympathisers to embark on indiscriminate display of political campaign materials in defiance of applicable laws.
“It is more worrisome that these acts of illegality are being perpetuated by those who ought to know better. The campaign materials which are mounted on street lamp posts in the state that have been paid for by other advertisers is not only a breach of the law but also a calculated attempt to frustrate the economic objectives of advertisers who have paid for the right to advertise on these poles.”
He appealled to members of JUSUN and other judiciary stakeholders to re-open the courts to allow aggrieved citizens to seek redress in the courts.
LASAA’s legal adviser, Mrs. Oyeyemi Lekan-Osunmakinde, explained that contracts had been lost due to the PDP’s action and only a court action and compensation could redress the wrong.
“Multi-million naira advert contracts have been cancelled by advertisers as a result of the acts of illegality embarked on by the affected political party. The essence of advertisement is maximum publicity and exposure. However by illegally placing their campaign materials to obstruct those lawfully placed, the rights of others are being violated,” she said.
She added that LASAA had not prevented the PDP or any other political party from publicising their programmes in Lagos State.
She said, “Every political party has the right to campaign and solicit votes. But in line with the agency’s statutory functions, these advertisements must be in accordance with the law.”