Kogi State Government has reviewed downward the proposed fees for outdoor political campaign advertisements ahead of the forthcoming elections.

Following consultations with political parties, advertising practitioners and other stakeholders by the state government, the government insisted that compliance with established regulations remains mandatory.

The revised fees announced by KOSSAA are ₦25 million for presidential campaign permits, ₦20 million for senatorial candidates, ₦10 million for House of Representatives candidates, ₦1.5 million for House of Assembly candidates and ₦1 million for chairmanship candidates.

The new rates reveal a substantial reduction from the initial proposals of ₦150 million for presidential candidates, ₦50 million for senatorial candidates, ₦30 million for House of Representatives candidates, ₦5 million for House of Assembly candidates, and ₦5 million for chairmanship candidates.

The revised rates, announced by the General Manager of the Kogi State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KOSSAA), Hon. Osaseyi Richard, at a stakeholders’ meeting held at Government House, Lokoja, are aimed at balancing the financial realities of political campaigns with the need to maintain environmental order, protect public infrastructure and ensure responsible political advertising across the state.

The meeting was convened to deliberate on concerns raised by political parties and candidates over the initial fees proposed for outdoor campaign advertisements, with the state government reaffirming its commitment to a fair, transparent and workable regulatory framework that accommodates legitimate political activities without compromising public interest.

Representing the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Awulu Tijani David, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to responsible political communication, peaceful electoral competition and effective regulation of outdoor advertisements in Kogi State.

Speaking on the theme, “Promoting Responsible Political Advertising, Environmental Order and Democratic Accountability,” the Commissioner emphasised that political advertising is a legitimate component of democratic participation but must be conducted within the boundaries of the law and in a manner that protects citizens, public facilities and the environment.

He explained that the objective of the guidelines was not to suppress political expression or create unnecessary obstacles for candidates and political parties, but to establish a transparent system that guarantees accountability, promotes public safety and ensures that outdoor campaign materials are displayed in accordance with approved procedures.

The General Manager explained that the initial assessment was based on provisions of the agency’s regulations, the range of campaign advertising materials requiring assessment, and the anticipated cost of managing outdoor political advertisements, including their eventual removal after the elections.

Earlier, Chief Okpanachi Nicolas Bala, the Action Democratic Party (ADP) senatorial candidate for Kogi East, appealed for further consideration of the financial challenges confronting political candidates, particularly those without access to substantial campaign resources.

He urged the relevant authorities to take the concerns of candidates into account, noting that financing election campaigns was already a major challenge for many political actors. (Nigerian Tribune)