By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Kogi State Chapter, has accused the Kogi State Government of putting democracy “up for sale” over the newly approved campaign signage fees ahead of the October 2026 Local Government elections and the 2027 general elections.
The statement, signed by the IPAC Chairman, Hon. Iliyasu Badanga, was made available to newsmen in Lokoja on Wednesday.
IPAC described the fees as anti-democratic, exclusionary and capable of financially crippling opposition political parties in the state.
The council was reacting to the new charges announced by the state government for campaign signage and promotional materials.
Under the approved rates, presidential candidates are expected to pay N150 million, while senatorial candidates will pay N50 million and House of Representatives candidates N30 million.
State Assembly candidates are to pay N5 million, chairmanship candidates N2 million, while councillorship candidates are expected to pay N300,000 for campaign signage and related materials across the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, had explained that the fees were arrived at after a peer-review process and were intended to regulate political advertising, ensure compliance and generate revenue for the state.
The government also warned that campaign materials displayed without payment would be removed and offenders prosecuted.
The General Manager of the Kogi State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KOSSAA), Mr. Richard Osaseyi, announced that full enforcement of the policy would commence next week.
However, IPAC rejected the charges, describing them as prohibitive, unrealistic and a direct threat to democratic participation.
Badanga argued that elections should be determined by the electorate based on governance and policies rather than the financial capacity of candidates and political parties to pay for campaign visibility.
“The decision by the Kogi State Government is anti-people. Winning elections in 2027 is not about billboards, T-shirts or caps. It is about the people deciding based on what they perceive as good governance,” Badanga stated.
IPAC said while it recognised the need for regulation of campaign materials, such regulations must be reasonable, affordable and applied fairly to all political parties.
The council warned that using financial regulations to place opposition parties at a disadvantage could undermine free speech, equal political participation and the credibility of the electoral process.
IPAC therefore demanded the immediate withdrawal of the approved fees and called for consultations between the government, political parties and other stakeholders to establish what it described as a realistic and democratic framework.
The council reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful, free, fair and inclusive elections in Kogi State and urged political parties, civil society organisations and citizens to remain vigilant against policies capable of undermining democratic participation.
