Kogi's Shocking N150m Billboard Fee Rocks 2027 Presidential Campaigns!

The Kogi State Government has officially approved a new structure for fees associated with the placement of various political campaign materials, including billboards, posters, branded T-shirts, and caps. These revised fees are set to be enforced ahead of the October 2026 local government elections and the 2027 general elections, which encompass presidential, National Assembly, and state House of Assembly contests.

Under the newly established fee schedule, presidential candidates are required to pay N150 million for their campaign signage and promotional materials across the state. Senatorial candidates will be charged N50 million, while candidates vying for seats in the House of Representatives must pay N30 million. Aspirants for the state House of Assembly will incur a fee of N5 million. For the upcoming local government elections, chairmanship candidates are to pay N2 million, and councillorship candidates will be charged N300,000.

Kingsley Fanwo, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, announced these new rates in Lokoja after a meeting involving government stakeholders and key operators in the signage and advertising sector. This development precedes the official commencement of campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections, slated to begin on August 19.

Commissioner Fanwo clarified that the approved fees serve multiple critical objectives: regulating political advertising throughout the state, ensuring strict compliance with existing signage regulations, and significantly boosting revenue generation for Kogi State's development initiatives. He further elaborated that the rates were meticulously determined through a comprehensive peer review of charges applicable in other states, and the government considers these fees affordable, taking into account the extensive scale and reach of modern political campaigns.

The regulatory framework is also designed to address and curb the indiscriminate placement of campaign materials, thereby ensuring that political advertising actively contributes to the state’s revenue base in an organized manner. Fanwo issued a stern warning to all political parties and candidates, cautioning them against displaying any campaign materials without first paying the prescribed fees and obtaining the necessary official approvals. He emphasized that any individual or organization found violating these regulations, or aiding and facilitating such violations, would face legal prosecution.

Fanwo underscored that these regulations apply universally to all political parties and candidates, including those affiliated with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He explicitly stated, “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.” He reiterated that the government operates impartially, urging all political parties and candidates to strictly adhere to the regulations governing campaign material placement across the state.

The Kogi State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KOSSAA), operating under the Ministry of Information and Communications, has been designated as the primary body responsible for overseeing the regulation of signage and all outdoor advertising activities within the state. KOSSAA will coordinate the enforcement of the newly approved campaign signage regime, ensuring that these rules are implemented fairly and without any form of political discrimination.

Richard Osaseyi, the General Manager of KOSSAA, confirmed that the full enforcement of these regulations is scheduled to commence next week. He strongly advised all political parties, candidates, campaign organizations, and billboard operators to promptly register with KOSSAA and secure the essential approvals before erecting or displaying any campaign materials. Osaseyi warned that any unauthorized campaign materials would be removed, and individuals or organizations found in violation of the regulations would be subjected to appropriate sanctions.