Imo councillor who destroyed opponent’s banner claims it was content creation

A councillor in Imo State who was captured in a viral video destroying the campaign banner of an opposition party candidate has made a U-turn, claiming he was only creating content.

The councillor, Hon. Paschal Okoro, from Avu/Oforola Ward 1 in Owerri West Local Government Area, was seen in the video pulling down and dismantling a billboard belonging to a candidate of the Action Alliance (AA).

In the video, Ajangwo, as he is fondly called, a card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), declared zero tolerance for any other political party campaigning in Avu/Oforola Ward 1.

According to him, the ward is reserved exclusively for the current Majority Leader of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kanayo Onyemaechi, who represents Owerri West State Constituency and is vying for the position for a third time.

In the background of the video, Okoro was heard saying: “I Ajangwo say no other political party will operate here in Avu, we are matching a State order, I remove all the banners of the AA political party, Egbe is with us in this business”.

The action sparked outrage on social media, with many Nigerians condemning the act as political intolerance and destruction of property.

Reacting to the incident, the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, said the police would investigate the matter.

“Necessary action will be taken on this matter. We always urge politicians to abide by the rules and uphold the principles of fairness and accountability.”

Following the backlash and police assurance to probe the incident, the former councillor has now claimed that his action was staged for content creation.

Okoro’s action came barely a few days after the Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO) was held in the state.