Plateau Executive Order 003 2024 Posters: JMDB Enforces Ban

• The Jos Metropolitan Development Board has warned politicians in Plateau State against pasting campaign posters on public facilities.
• This directive is based on Executive Order 003 of 2024, which regulates buildings and vehicular traffic in the state.
• The order specifically prohibits political materials on public buildings, bridges, and road infrastructure without prior approval.
• Violators face legal action, including a N500,000 fine as stipulated in the executive order.
• The measures aim to preserve Jos city's aesthetics, protect public infrastructure, and ensure public safety during the 2027 election campaigns.

The Executive Order 003 Plateau State clearly stipulates that any individual, political party, or organization found in breach of these regulations will face legal repercussions, including a substantial Nigeria campaign poster fine N500k.

The Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) has issued a definitive warning to political actors across Plateau State, specifically cautioning against the unauthorized placement of campaign materials on public facilities. This significant directive, communicated through a statement released on Saturday from Jos by Hart Bankat, the board's General Manager, comes as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections. The JMDB underscored that such actions constitute a direct violation of existing state regulations, particularly those outlined in Executive Order 003 of 2024 concerning public spaces.

This Executive Order 003 2024 posters regulation explicitly prohibits the affixing, mounting, or exhibition of political posters, banners, and other campaign paraphernalia on critical public infrastructure. Specifically, public buildings, bridges, road infrastructure, and any other locations not officially designated or authorized are off-limits for such displays. This proactive measure by the Jos Metropolitan Development Board warning aims to ensure that the urban environment remains orderly and free from visual clutter as the electoral cycle approaches, setting clear boundaries for political advertising.

Executive Order 003 of 2024 serves as the primary legal instrument underpinning these new restrictions, providing comprehensive guidelines that regulate both building structures and vehicular traffic throughout Plateau State. The Jos Metropolitan Development Board, operating within its established statutory mandate, is specifically tasked with the enforcement of these provisions. Its responsibilities include overseeing physical development, regulating outdoor advertising, and ensuring the orderly and appropriate utilization of public areas across the state. These responsibilities directly inform the Plateau State political advertising rules now in effect.

Non-compliance with these newly reinforced outdoor advertising regulations Nigeria Plateau will incur severe penalties. The Executive Order 003 Plateau State clearly stipulates that any individual, political party, or organization found in breach of these regulations will face legal repercussions, including a substantial Nigeria campaign poster fine N500k. This significant financial penalty, explicitly provided for within the executive order, highlights the state government's firm commitment to upholding these new standards for public space management and political messaging.

A crucial new requirement has been established for all entities involved in political campaigning within Plateau State: obtaining prior official approval before any outdoor campaign materials can be erected or displayed. This mandate extends to political parties, individual candidates, campaign organizations, and even advertising firms, ensuring that all external political messaging is sanctioned and adheres to the state's urban planning, environmental, and safety standards. This step is vital for ensuring compliance and avoiding potential legal issues.

The rationale behind these stringent measures, as articulated by the JMDB, encompasses several key public interests. Foremost among these objectives are the preservation of the aesthetic appeal of Jos city, the protection of vital public infrastructure from potential damage or defacement, and the overarching goal of guaranteeing public safety throughout the intense period of political campaigning. Adherence to these guidelines is therefore not merely a matter of avoiding penalties but also a contribution to the responsible conduct of elections and the maintenance of public order.

Lawyers and compliance officers advising political parties or campaign organizations in Plateau State must familiarize themselves with Executive Order 003 of 2024, as it introduces new restrictions on campaign poster placement on public property, requiring prior approval and imposing a N500,000 fine for non-compliance.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH Newspapers.