State governments are imposing billboard fees running into hundreds of millions of naira, threatening to price opposition candidates out of public visibility and raising concerns over a level playing field ahead of the 2027 elections.
With campaigns already underway, the fees have exposed a growing tension between state governments’ authority to regulate outdoor advertising and political parties’ ability to communicate with voters without prohibitive financial barriers.
The controversy has dealt a major legal blow to opposition parties in Enugu. On October 19, the Federal High Court in Enugu, presided over by Justice Mabel Segun-Bello, dismissed a suit by opposition parties challenging the state signage agency’s N150 million political advertising fee, ruling that the state legislature could regulate outdoor advertising.
In Benue, where billboard rental rates range from N250,000 to N1.2 million monthly, opposition figures allege that prime locations in Makurdi have largely been booked by APC candidates.
A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain alleged that billboard operators were denying opposition campaigners access to prime locations, claiming the spaces were already unavailable.
Abia State has set the highest reported presidential billboard fee at N200 million, while Enugu, Kogi and Cross River charge N150 million each. Rivers demands N75 million, while Anambra charges N50 million.
The figures raise questions about whether candidates without access to substantial financial resources can compete effectively, particularly as incumbents enjoy established political structures, resources and greater visibility.
In Kwara, allegations of political billboard destruction have heightened tensions, with the PDP accusing APC supporters of vandalising its governorship candidate’s billboards, while separate claims alleged damage to APC campaign advertisements.
However, Bola Olukoju, Commissioner for Communications, said all parties enjoyed equal access to the state advertising agency.
BusinessDay reports that the controversy cuts across party lines, with billboard regulation spanning states controlled by different political parties. Alex Otti governs Abia under the Labour Party (LP), Charles Soludo leads Anambra under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), while the All Progressives Congress (APC) controls Enugu, Benue, Kwara, Rivers and Cross River. Business Intelligence Subscription