Kogi State approves new campaign signage fees for 2027 elections

The Kogi State Government has approved new fees for campaign signage and promotional materials ahead of the 2027 general elections and upcoming local government polls. Under the new regulations, presidential candidates will be charged ₦150 million, while senatorial candidates will pay ₦50 million, House of Representatives candidates ₦30 million, and State Assembly candidates ₦5 million.

Lower-level positions also face new costs, with chairmanship candidates paying ₦2 million and councillorship candidates paying ₦300,000. Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, stated the policy aims to regulate political advertising, ensure compliance with signage laws, and generate state revenue. The Kogi State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KOSSAA) is set to begin enforcement next week, with warnings that unauthorized materials will be removed and offenders prosecuted.

The policy has faced strong opposition from political parties. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the charges as “excessive, unfair and undemocratic,” arguing that high costs create financial barriers to communication with the electorate. Similarly, the African Action Congress (AAC) condemned the move, stating that such fees could prevent grassroots candidates and opposition parties with limited resources from participating effectively, thereby undermining the democratic principle of a level playing field.