By Peter Omopo
The Kogi State Government has approved new fees for political parties and candidates seeking to display billboards, posters, branded T shirts, caps and other campaign materials ahead of the 2027 general elections and the October 2026 local government elections.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, announced the approved rates in Lokoja on Tuesday following a meeting between government officials, political stakeholders and operators in the signage and advertising sector.
The development comes ahead of the commencement of campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections, scheduled for August 19.
According to Fanwo, the fees are intended to regulate political advertising across the state, ensure compliance with existing signage regulations and generate revenue for the development of Kogi State.
Under the approved structure, presidential candidates will pay N150 million for campaign signage and related promotional materials across the state, while senatorial candidates will pay N50 million.
House of Representatives candidates will pay N30 million, while candidates contesting seats in the state House of Assembly will pay N5 million.
For the local government elections, chairmanship candidates will pay N2 million, while councillorship candidates will be required to pay N300,000.
Fanwo said the rates were determined after a peer review of applicable charges in other states, adding that the government considered the fees affordable given the scale and reach of political campaigns.
He explained that the charges would also enable the government to regulate the proliferation of campaign materials while ensuring that political advertising contributes to the state’s revenue base.
The commissioner warned that placing campaign materials without paying the prescribed fees and obtaining the required approvals would constitute an offence.
He said offenders, including individuals or organisations found aiding or facilitating violations, would be prosecuted.
Fanwo stressed that the regulations would apply equally to all political parties and candidates, including members of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“In Kogi, APC is the ruling party, but that does not exempt any APC candidate from complying with the law. If you are an APC candidate and you did not pay the prescribed fee before placing your billboards or posters, we will remove them, and you will be prosecuted,” he said.
He urged all political parties and candidates to comply with the regulations governing the placement of campaign materials across the state.
Fanwo further disclosed that the Kogi State Signage and Advertisement Agency, under the State Ministry of Information and Communications, would oversee the regulation of signage and outdoor advertising activities and coordinate enforcement of the new campaign signage regime.
He assured stakeholders that enforcement would be carried out fairly and without political discrimination.
The General Manager of KOSSAA, Richard Osaseyi, said the agency would commence full enforcement of the regulations from next week.
Osaseyi urged political parties, candidates, campaign organisations and billboard operators to register with the agency and obtain the necessary approvals before erecting or displaying campaign materials.
He warned that unauthorised campaign materials would be removed and that individuals or organisations found violating the regulations would face appropriate sanctions.
