2027: PDP kicks as Kogi govt fixes N150m campaign signage fee for presidential candidates

According to the commissioner, the approved fees were designed to regulate political advertising across the state, ensure compliance with existing signage regulations, and generate revenue for the development of Kogi State.

The state government also pegged the fees for senatorial candidates at N50 million while those for the House of Representatives will pay N30 million, State House of Assembly at N5 million.

Fanwo further disclosed that for the local government elections, chairmanship candidates will pay N2 million, while those for councillorship will pay N300,000.

However, the State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has rejected the newly announced campaign signage and promotional-material fees, describing the policy as excessive, disproportionate and undemocratic in its present form.

In a statement issued by the State Chairman, Mohammed Gambo, the PDP 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 rights of political parties, candidates and citizens to participate freely in the democratic process.

According to Gambo, the charges are excessive and disproportionate, arguing that the ₦50 million signage fee for a senatorial candidate alone represents 10 per cent of the candidate’s statutory spending ceiling of N500 million under Section 92(4) of the Electoral Act 2026.

He said such expenditure would come before spending on rallies, media, transportation, campaign offices, logistics and other legitimate campaign activities.

“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,” Gambo said.