The Kogi State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has rejected the newly announced campaign signage and promotional-material fees imposed by the Kogi State Government ahead of the October 2026 Local Government elections and the 2027 general elections, describing the policy as excessive, disproportionate and undemocratic in its present form.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the State Chairman, Mohammed Gambo, today in Lokoja, the state capital.
The party said that while it recognises the legitimate responsibility of government to regulate outdoor advertising and maintain order in public spaces, such regulation must be reasonable, affordable and consistent with the constitutional right of political parties, candidates and citizens to participate freely in the democratic process, reports The PUNCH.
The state government announced fees of ₦150 million for presidential candidates, ₦50 million for senatorial candidates, ₦30 million for House of Representatives candidates, ₦5 million for State Assembly candidates, ₦2 million for chairmanship candidates and ₦300,000 for councillorship candidates for campaign signage and related promotional materials.
Reacting, Gambo stated, “Elections are contests of ideas, service and the will of the people. Government regulation must never become a financial barrier capable of determining who can effectively communicate with the electorate.
“First, the charges are excessive and disproportionate. Section 92(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 limits the total election expenses of a senatorial candidate to ₦500 million. A ₦50 million signage levy alone therefore consumes 10 per cent of a candidate’s entire statutory spending ceiling, before expenditure on rallies, media, transportation, campaign offices, logistics and other legitimate campaign activities.”
The PDP maintained that legitimate regulatory fees should be fair and proportionate and should not undermine the very expenditure limits established by electoral law or effectively price candidates and opposition parties out of meaningful political participation.
It said, “Second, government must distinguish commercial outdoor advertising from the personal political expression of citizens.
“The state government’s published policy expressly extends beyond billboards and posters to branded T-shirts, caps and other campaign materials.
“Requiring payment to government before ordinary citizens may wear campaign T-shirts or caps, brand their privately owned vehicles, or display political materials on their homes and private property raises serious constitutional concerns.
“Sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantee freedom of expression and the right to peaceful association, including political association. Government may regulate commercial signage and the use of public advertising infrastructure, but it must exercise extreme caution before extending such regulation into the personal political expression of private citizens.”
The Kogi PDP called on the state government to immediately review the approved fees and convene an inclusive meeting involving all registered political parties, civil society organisations, KOSSAA and other relevant stakeholders to agree on a transparent, reasonable and equitable framework.
It added, “Democracy thrives when the playing field is level, participation is encouraged and every citizen is free to express a political preference without unnecessary financial or administrative barriers.”
The PDP reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful, free, fair and inclusive elections in Kogi state and calls on all political actors and citizens to continue to engage constructively in strengthening our democracy.
