Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo has described a viral video showing a man destroying campaign posters of President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima as a staged political stunt.
The video circulating online shows a man using what appears to be a machete to tear down posters bearing the images of Tinubu and Shettima. Graphics carrying the message “Tinubu Must Go” are also visible in the footage.
Reacting to the video on Friday, Keyamo alleged that the man was sponsored by opposition elements and that the incident was deliberately recorded and circulated to create the impression that Tinubu had lost public support.
The minister said the recording appeared planned because a camera was positioned to capture the incident. He argued that the video was subsequently being used to promote a political narrative ahead of the 2027 general election.
Keyamo also referred to a separate incident in Lagos where people were reportedly seen using Tinubu posters to cover posters belonging to an opposition party. He said such actions were also unacceptable but accused sections of the media of treating the two incidents differently.
The minister stressed that his comments should not be interpreted as a call for retaliation by supporters of the All Progressives Congress. He urged political supporters to avoid responding to such incidents with violence or confrontation.
Keyamo further alleged that opposition groups were attempting to portray the ruling party as unpopular ahead of the 2027 election. He said the poster incident was part of what he described as a broader propaganda strategy.
However, the minister's account of who organised the video and why it was recorded is an allegation. The reports reviewed do not independently establish who arranged the incident or whether the man acted on behalf of an opposition group.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled Nigeria's presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027. The political parties are expected to intensify their campaigns and public messaging as the election approaches.
The controversy over the viral video comes amid increasing political activity ahead of the 2027 elections, with parties and their supporters using social media to promote their positions and respond to criticism.