…Seeks review, stakeholders’ meeting
By Boluwaji Obahopo, Lokoja
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kogi State has rejected the campaign signage and promotional materials fees approved by the state government ahead of the October 2026 local government elections and the 2027 general elections.
The party described the charges as excessive and capable of restricting political participation, urging the government to review the fees and convene a meeting with registered political parties and other stakeholders to agree on a more reasonable framework.
Kogi PDP Chairman, Mohammed Gambo, stated this in a statement on Thursday, while acknowledging the government’s responsibility to regulate outdoor advertising and maintain order in public spaces.
He, however, argued that such regulation must be reasonable and affordable and should not become a financial barrier to political participation.
The state government approved fees of N150 million for presidential candidates, N50 million for senatorial candidates, N30 million for House of Representatives candidates, N5 million for State House of Assembly candidates, N2 million for chairmanship candidates and N300,000 for councillorship candidates for campaign signage and related promotional materials.
Gambo said: “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.”
He argued that the N50 million signage fee for senatorial candidates amounted to 10 per cent of the N500 million statutory election spending limit for senatorial candidates under Section 92(4) of the Electoral Act 2026.
According to him, candidates would still have to finance rallies, media campaigns, transportation, campaign offices and other legitimate campaign activities within the statutory spending limit.
The PDP chairman therefore maintained that regulatory charges should be fair and proportionate and should not undermine expenditure limits prescribed by electoral law.
Gambo also expressed concern over the extension of the policy beyond commercial outdoor advertising to campaign-branded T-shirts, caps and other promotional materials.
He said: “Asking citizens to pay government fees before wearing campaign-branded clothing, displaying political materials on their homes or private property, or branding privately owned vehicles could raise concerns relating to constitutionally protected freedoms.
“Sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution guarantee freedom of expression and peaceful association, including political association.
“While government has the right to regulate commercial signage and the use of public advertising infrastructure, it should exercise caution in regulating the personal political expression of citizens.”
The PDP called on the state government to review the fees and convene an inclusive meeting involving registered political parties, civil society organisations, the Kogi State Signage and Advertisement Agency, KOSSAA, and other relevant stakeholders.
The party said such engagement would help produce a transparent, reasonable and equitable framework acceptable to all political actors.
“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,” Gambo said.
He reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to peaceful, free, fair and inclusive elections in Kogi State, urging political actors and citizens to continue constructive engagement towards strengthening democracy.
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