By Emmanuel Odekina Iyede
The Kogi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the campaign signage and promotional-material fees announced by the Kogi State Government ahead of the October 2026 Local Government elections and the 2027 general elections.
The opposition party described the charges as excessive, disproportionate and potentially capable of restricting political participation in the state.
The position was contained in a statement issued by the Kogi PDP Chairman, Mohammed Gambo, on Thursday in Lokoja, the state capital.
While acknowledging the government’s responsibility to regulate outdoor advertising and maintain order in public spaces, the PDP argued that such regulation must remain reasonable, affordable and consistent with citizens’ constitutional rights to participate in the democratic process.
Kogi Government Announces Campaign Signage Fees
According to the fee structure announced by the state government, presidential candidates are required to pay ₦150 million for campaign signage and related promotional materials.
Senatorial candidates are to pay ₦50 million, while candidates contesting seats in the House of Representatives are required to pay ₦30 million.
The announced charges also include ₦5 million for State Assembly candidates, ₦2 million for chairmanship candidates and ₦300,000 for councillorship candidates.
The fees are coming ahead of the October 2026 Local Government elections in Kogi State and the wider political activities surrounding the 2027 general elections.
PDP Says Charges Could Restrict Political Participation
Reacting to the policy, Gambo said elections should be contests based on ideas, service and the will of the electorate rather than the financial ability of candidates to purchase political visibility.
He argued that government regulation should not become a financial barrier capable of limiting the ability of political parties and candidates to communicate effectively with voters.
“Elections are contests of ideas, service and the will of the people. Government regulation must never become a financial barrier capable of determining who can effectively communicate with the electorate,” Gambo said.
The PDP chairman further argued that the charges were excessive when compared with statutory limits on election expenditure.
According to the party, a ₦50 million signage fee for a senatorial candidate would amount to 10 per cent of the ₦500 million spending limit it cited for such a candidate under the Electoral Act.
Gambo said candidates would still have to finance rallies, media campaigns, transportation, campaign offices, logistics and other legitimate campaign activities.
Party Raises Concerns Over T-Shirts, Caps and Private Vehicles
The Kogi PDP also raised concerns over the reported extension of the policy beyond conventional billboards and posters to campaign materials such as branded T-shirts, caps and other promotional items.
The party argued that requiring citizens to pay government fees before wearing campaign clothing, branding privately owned vehicles or displaying political materials on their homes and private property could raise constitutional concerns.
“Government may regulate commercial signage and the use of public advertising infrastructure, but it must exercise extreme caution before extending such regulation into the personal political expression of private citizens,” the party said.
The PDP cited Sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which it said protect freedom of expression and peaceful association, including political association.
Campaign Financing Becomes Key Issue
The controversy has also brought renewed attention to the cost of political participation as parties and aspirants prepare for upcoming elections.
In Kogi, political realignments are already becoming part of the conversation ahead of 2027. The Bureau Journal recently examined the emerging political realignments within Kogi APC power circles, highlighting the growing competition among political actors as the next electoral cycle approaches.
Another report tracking the state’s political landscape examined the emergence of APC senatorial candidates ahead of the 2027 elections, including candidates and political developments in Kogi State.
These developments underline the increasingly active political environment in the state as parties begin preparing their structures and candidates for the next round of elections.
PDP Calls for Review of Fees
The opposition party called on the Kogi State Government to immediately review the approved fees and convene an inclusive meeting involving registered political parties and other stakeholders.
The PDP specifically called for the involvement of civil society organisations, KOSSAA and other relevant stakeholders in developing what it described as a transparent, reasonable and equitable framework.
The party maintained that regulation of campaign activities should balance the government’s responsibility to manage public spaces with the need to protect democratic participation.
Kogi Politics Ahead of 2026 and 2027 Elections
The disagreement over campaign signage fees adds another issue to the political conversation in Kogi State as parties prepare for the October 2026 Local Government elections and the presidential and National Assembly contests scheduled for 2027.
Kogi’s political environment has also been shaped by broader party manoeuvring and competition over the state’s senatorial and federal constituencies.
The Bureau Journal has continued to track these developments, including the emergence of APC senatorial candidates across Nigeria and the political positioning of major figures ahead of 2027.
At the national level, the 2027 election timetable and electoral reforms are expected to shape how political parties organise their campaigns and mobilise voters across the country.
The dispute over campaign signage fees could therefore become part of a wider debate over campaign financing, political expression and the regulation of election-related activities in Kogi State.
PDP Reaffirms Commitment to Peaceful Elections
The Kogi PDP reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful, free, fair and inclusive elections in the state.
The party urged political actors and citizens to continue engaging constructively on issues affecting the democratic process.
Whether the state government will review the announced charges or maintain the existing fee structure remains to be seen as political parties and stakeholders prepare for the forthcoming elections.
The Bureau Journal will continue to monitor the Kogi political landscape, campaign regulations, the 2026 Local Government elections and preparations for the 2027 general elections.
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