The Kogi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected newly announced fees for campaign signage and promotional materials 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 current form.
In a statement issued by the party’s State Chairman, Hon. Mohammed Sanni Gambo, the PDP said it recognises government’s legitimate authority to regulate outdoor advertising and maintain order in public spaces, but insisted that any 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 Kogi State Government’s newly announced schedule sets signage and promotional-material fees as follows: Presidential candidates – ₦150 million, Senatorial candidates – ₦50 million, House of Representatives candidates – ₦30 million, State Assembly candidates – ₦5 million, Chairmanship candidates – ₦2 million, Councillorship candidates – ₦300,000.
Gambo said the fees risk undermining the democratic process itself. “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 said.
The PDP’s objection centers on two main arguments.
First, the party says the fees are disproportionate to legal spending limits.
It noted that Section 92(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 caps a senatorial candidate’s total election expenses at ₦500 million. A ₦50 million signage levy alone, the party said, would consume 10 percent of that entire statutory ceiling — before any spending on rallies, media, transportation, campaign offices, logistics or other core campaign activities. The PDP argues that regulatory fees should be fair and proportionate, and should not erode the very expenditure limits set by electoral law or effectively price candidates and opposition parties out of meaningful participation.
Second, the party says government must distinguish commercial advertising from personal political expression.
According to the PDP, the state’s policy extends beyond billboards and posters to cover branded T-shirts, caps and other campaign materials. The party argues that requiring citizens to pay government before wearing campaign T-shirts or caps, branding their own vehicles, or displaying political materials on their private property raises serious constitutional concerns. It cited Sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantee freedom of expression and the right to peaceful association, including political association. While government may regulate commercial signage and public advertising infrastructure, the PDP said, it must exercise extreme caution before extending that regulation into the personal political expression of private citizens.
The Kogi PDP is calling on the state government to immediately review the approved fees and convene an inclusive meeting involving all registered political parties, civil society organisations, the Kogi State Sports and Social Activities Association (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 barriers,” the statement said.
The party reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful, free, fair and inclusive elections in Kogi State and called on all political actors and citizens to continue engaging constructively to strengthen the state’s democracy.
