The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it does not possess the constitutional power to address the escalating fees imposed by various state governments on opposition parties for campaign billboards in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.
As the election date approaches, several states have increased signage fees significantly, seemingly aimed at creating obstacles for opposition candidates. For example, Kogi State recently approved fees reaching N150 million for presidential candidates and N50 million for senatorial candidates, purportedly to regulate political advertising and generate development funds.
Similar trends have emerged in other states, including Rivers, where fees for presidential billboards are set at N75 million, and Abia, where the cost has soared to N200 million for presidential candidates. Anambra, Cross River, and Benue also have imposed high fees, further complicating the landscape for campaign advertising for opposition parties.
INEC’s National Commissioner, Mohammed Haruna, explained that such state-level decisions regarding signage fees are beyond the commission’s control. He noted that there are no restrictions on what states can charge, and consequently, no penalties for excessive fees. He emphasized that this practice is not limited to any single party, as all ruling parties in these states share this responsibility.
In response to queries from the Auditor-General regarding over N126.46 billion in electoral expenditures without proper procurement, Haruna indicated that preparations for the upcoming elections have delayed the commission’s response to these allegations. He assured that INEC plans to address the inquiry in the near future.
