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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

PDP candidate rejects Kogi’s N5m campaign billboard levy

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A Peoples Democratic Party candidate has rejected a N5 million campaign billboard levy imposed by the Kogi State government for State House of Assembly candidates.
  • The candidate criticized the fee as anti-democratic and argued it favors wealthy candidates, potentially hindering participation for those with fewer financial resources.
  • The state government has set varying fees for campaign materials, with presidential candidates facing N150 million and senatorial candidates N50 million.
  • The candidate proposed that the N5 million could be better used for constituent welfare, such as supporting students, widows, and youth empowerment.

A Peoples Democratic Party candidate for the Ogugu State Constituency has vociferously rejected a N5 million fee for campaign billboards, labeling the Kogi State government's policy as anti-democratic and detrimental to genuine political participation.

What makes a commercial billboard different from a political billboard? How exactly does a billboard win votes?

— Michael IdokoThe PDP candidate questioned the justification and effectiveness of the campaign billboard levy.

Michael Idoko, the PDP candidate, stated that the levy, set ahead of the 2027 general elections, creates an uneven playing field, making political ambition contingent on financial capacity. He questioned the rationale behind the significant charges, particularly for campaign signage, asking, “What makes a commercial billboard different from a political billboard? How exactly does a billboard win votes?” Idoko argued that electoral success hinges on grassroots support, credibility, and service, not on the size or number of advertisements.

The Kogi State government has established a tiered fee structure for campaign materials, with presidential candidates required to pay N150 million, senatorial candidates N50 million, and House of Representatives candidates N30 million. These charges, disclosed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, encompass billboards, posters, branded apparel, and other promotional items for both the 2027 general elections and the October 2026 Local Government polls.

History has repeatedly shown that many candidates have won elections without erecting a single billboard. Votes come from the hearts of the people, not from painted metal structures.

— Michael IdokoIdoko argued that grassroots support and public trust are more crucial than campaign billboards.

Idoko countered the government's justification of revenue generation and regulation, asserting that political participation should not be commercialized. He proposed that the N5 million fee could be more effectively allocated to address pressing community needs. "With N5m, I can pay school fees for indigent students, support widows, empower struggling youths through small businesses, provide medical assistance for vulnerable families and improve community welfare in Ogugu," he stated, deeming the levy morally indefensible given the economic hardships faced by many citizens.

With N5m, I can pay school fees for indigent students, support widows, empower struggling youths through small businesses, provide medical assistance for vulnerable families and improve community welfare in Ogugu.

— Michael IdokoThe candidate suggested alternative uses for the N5 million levy that would benefit constituents.

Idoko’s stance reflects a broader concern about the financial barriers to political office in Nigeria. He warned that such policies could disenfranchise capable individuals who lack the financial means to compete, thereby undermining the democratic process and potentially leading to a government disconnected from the economic realities of its populace. He stressed that votes are earned through public trust and connection, not through expensive displays of campaign materials.

Asking candidates to spend such money on billboards while many citizens cannot afford food, medication and transportation is morally indefensible.

— Michael IdokoIdoko criticized the levy as being out of touch with the economic realities of ordinary citizens.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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