By Oluwakemi Kindness
The Kogi State Government has approved a N150 million fee for presidential candidates seeking to place campaign billboards and promotional materials across the state.
The new fees will apply ahead of the 2027 general elections and October 2026 local government polls.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, announced the rates in Lokoja on Tuesday.
He said the fees were approved after consultations with stakeholders in the signage and advertising sector.
Under the new structure, senatorial candidates will pay N50 million for campaign signage.
House of Representatives candidates will pay N30 million, while state House of Assembly candidates will pay N5 million.
For the local government elections, chairmanship candidates will pay N2 million, while councillorship candidates will pay N300,000.
Fanwo said the fees would regulate political advertising, enforce signage rules and generate revenue for the state.
He said the rates were determined after reviewing applicable charges in other states.
The commissioner warned that placing campaign materials without paying the prescribed fees would constitute an offence.
He said offenders and anyone who assists in violating the regulations would face prosecution.
Fanwo stressed that the rules apply to all political parties, including the ruling All Progressives Congress.
He said unauthorised billboards and posters belonging to APC candidates would also be removed.
The Kogi State Signage and Advertisement Agency is responsible for enforcing the new campaign advertising regime.
Its General Manager, Richard Osaseyi, said full enforcement would begin next week.
Osaseyi urged political parties, candidates and billboard operators to register with the agency and obtain approval before displaying campaign materials.
He warned that unauthorised materials would be removed and violators sanctioned.
