The Kogi State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the newly announced campaign signage and promotional-material fees imposed by the Kogi State government ahead of the October 2026 local government election and the 2027 general election, describing the policy as excessive, disproportionate and undemocratic in its present form.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by Mohammed Gambo, state chairman of the PDP, in Lokoja, the state capital, adding that it
recognises the legitimate responsibility of government to regulate outdoor advertising and maintain order in public spaces. He however, said that 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.
The state government announced fees of N150 million for presidential candidates, N50 million for senatorial candidates, N30 million for House of Representatives candidates, N5 million for State Assembly candidates, N2 million for chairmanship candidates and N300,000 for councillorship candidates for campaign signage and related promotional materials.
In his reaction, 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.
‘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 N500 million. A N50 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.
He further 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.
‘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 barrier’.
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.