A video circulating widely on X has shown coils of barbed (razor) wire wrapped around the supporting poles of a large roadside billboard featuring President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Niger State Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago, prompting shock, mockery and political commentary across social media.
The footage, posted Sunday morning captures the elevated billboard in what appears to be an urban area of Niger State. The structure displays side-by-side portraits of Tinubu, labeled “President, Federal Republic of Nigeria,” and Bago, labeled “Governor, Niger State,” against the green-and-white national colours.
Nearby sections of the same gantry promote other figures, including a senator. Coils of sharp wire are clearly visible around the lower sections of the blue-painted metal poles, just above ground level and within reach of pedestrians and motorists. The original poster described it as “electric fence wire… apparently to prevent people from destroying it.” An on-screen caption in the video reads “Innalillahi” accompanied by a laughing emoji, conveying a mix of disbelief and dark humour.
The clip quickly gained traction, drawing tens of thousands of views and hundreds of engagements within hours. Many commenters interpreted the protective measure as evidence of public rejection of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its leaders. One user wrote that if authorities need an electric fence or barbed wire to protect a billboard of the president and a governor, “it tells u everything u need to know about their legitimacy.” Others suggested the wire would not stop determined vandals, joking about cutting power to the board or using projectiles. A smaller number of responses defended the installation as a pragmatic response to past vandalism of campaign materials or simply noted that property deserves protection.
The incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened sensitivity around political advertising ahead of the 2027 general elections. In recent days, security personnel in Kaduna State were reported to have been deployed to guard Tinubu campaign posters and billboards ahead of an expected presidential visit and campaign activities, with officials citing fears of nighttime vandalism by youths. Early appearance of 2027-themed billboards and posters has also drawn criticism from opposition voices and legal observers who argue that formal campaigning remains restricted until the Independent National Electoral Commission issues a timetable.
Neither the Niger State Government nor the presidency has issued an immediate public statement on the specific installation shown in the video. It remains unclear whether the wire is electrified or simply conventional barbed/razor wire, who ordered its placement, or whether similar measures have been applied to other political billboards in the state.
The episode underscores the charged atmosphere surrounding political imagery in Nigeria, where billboards frequently become flashpoints for protest, partisanship and questions of popular support. As the video continues to spread, it has amplified existing debates about governance, legitimacy and the lengths to which authorities will go to safeguard symbols of power.
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