2027: Kogi charges presidential candidates N150m for billboards

Kogi State in Nigeria has established a new fee structure for political campaign materials, requiring significant payments from candidates seeking office in the upcoming 2027 general elections and the October 2026 local government elections. The state government announced these approved fees on Tuesday, following a meeting with stakeholders in the signage and advertising sector.

Presidential candidates face the highest charge, with a fee of N150 million set for campaign signage and related promotional items. Senatorial candidates are required to pay N50 million, while those vying for a seat in the House of Representatives will pay N30 million. Candidates for the state House of Assembly will be charged N5 million. For local government elections, chairmanship candidates must pay N2 million, and councillorship candidates will pay N300,000.

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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.

According to Kingsley Fanwo, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, these rates were determined after reviewing fees in other states and are considered affordable given the scale of political campaigns. He stated that the fees aim to regulate political advertising, ensure compliance with signage regulations, and generate revenue for the state's development. Fanwo also noted that the agency would regulate the proliferation of campaign materials and ensure advertising contributes to the state's revenue base.

The government issued a stern warning that placing campaign materials without paying the prescribed fees and adhering to regulations constitutes an offense. Offenders and anyone facilitating violations will face prosecution. Fanwo stressed that these regulations apply universally, including to candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that non-compliant APC materials would be removed and offenders prosecuted. The Kogi State Signage and Advertisement Agency is tasked with enforcing these regulations.

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The government is for everybody. All political parties and candidates are hereby enjoined to adhere strictly to the regulations governing the placement of campaign materials across the state.