The Kogi State Government has approved an N150 million fee for presidential candidates seeking to display billboards, posters, branded T-shirts, caps and other campaign materials across the state ahead of the 2027 general election.
The government also approved separate charges for candidates contesting senatorial, House of Representatives, state assembly and local government elections.
Presidential Candidates to Pay N150m
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, announced the approved fees in Lokoja after a stakeholders’ meeting with operators in the signage and advertising sector.
He said the charges were introduced to regulate political advertising, ensure compliance with existing signage regulations and generate revenue for the development of the state.
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Under the approved structure, presidential candidates will pay N150 million for campaign signage and related promotional materials across Kogi.
Senatorial candidates will pay N50 million, while candidates for the House of Representatives will pay N30 million.
Those contesting for the State House of Assembly will pay N5 million.
For the October 2026 local government elections, chairmanship candidates will pay N2 million, while councillorship candidates will pay N300,000.
Government Explains Fees
Fanwo said the charges were determined after a review of similar fees imposed in other states.
He described the rates as affordable considering the scale and reach of political campaigns.
According to him, the new regime would also help the government control the spread of campaign materials across the state while ensuring that political advertising contributes to government revenue.
APC Candidates Not Exempt
Fanwo warned that candidates and political parties that display campaign materials without paying the prescribed fees and obtaining the required approvals would be sanctioned.
He stressed that the regulations applied to all political parties, including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“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.
“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,” he said.
KOSSAA to Enforce Regulations
Fanwo said the Kogi State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KOSSAA), an agency under the Ministry of Information and Communications, would coordinate the implementation and enforcement of the approved campaign signage regime.
He added 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.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.