Emmanuel Ikpeama
The Kogi State Government has approved new fees for the placement of billboards, posters, branded T-shirts, caps and other political campaign materials ahead of the 2027 general elections and the October 2026 local government polls.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, disclosed this on Tuesday in Lokoja after a stakeholders’ meeting with operators in the signage and outdoor advertising sector. 
The announcement comes ahead of the commencement of campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections, scheduled to begin on August 19.
Under the newly approved fee structure, presidential candidates seeking to mount campaign signage and promotional materials across Kogi State are required to pay N150 million, while senatorial candidates will pay N50 million.
House of Representatives candidates will pay N30 million, while candidates contesting seats in the State House of Assembly are to pay N5 million.
For the forthcoming local government elections, chairmanship candidates will pay N2 million, while councillorship candidates will be required to pay N300,000.
Fanwo explained that the fees were approved following a peer review of political advertising charges in other states, stressing that the rates were considered appropriate given the scale and reach of political campaigns.
He said the policy was aimed at regulating the proliferation of campaign materials, ensuring compliance with existing signage laws and boosting the state’s internally generated revenue.
The Commissioner warned political parties, candidates and campaign organisations against displaying campaign materials without first paying the prescribed fees and obtaining the necessary approvals.
He said anyone who violates the regulations, as well as individuals or organisations found aiding such violations, would face prosecution.
Fanwo emphasised that the regulations apply equally to all political parties and candidates, including those of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“In Kogi, APC is the ruling party, but that doesn’t exempt any APC candidate from complying with the law. If you’re an APC candidate and you didn’t pay the prescribed fee before placing your billboards or posters, we’ll remove them and you’ll be prosecuted,” he said.
According to him, the government belongs to all residents and would therefore ensure that enforcement of the regulations is carried out without political discrimination.
Fanwo further disclosed that the Kogi State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KOSSAA), under the Ministry of Information and Communications, would be responsible for regulating signage and outdoor advertising activities under the new campaign regime.
Also speaking, the General Manager of KOSSAA, Mr 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 KOSSAA and obtain the required approvals before erecting or displaying campaign materials.
He warned that unauthorised campaign materials would be removed, while violators would face appropriate sanctions in line with the law.
The state government urged all political actors and advertising operators to comply with the approved regulations to ensure an orderly, transparent and properly regulated campaign environment ahead of the forthcoming elections.
