Kwara PDP, ADC kick against N100m campaign permit fee

The Peoples Democratic Party and the African Democratic Congress in Kwara State have kicked against the campaign advertising fees recently introduced by the Kwara State Signage and Advertisement Agency, describing the charges as excessive and a threat to political competition.

The parties made their positions known after a stakeholder meeting organised by the agency in Ilorin on political advertising and campaign communication, where a new permit regime for the 2027 elections was presented.

Under the new schedule, presidential candidates are required to pay N100 million for campaign advertising permits. Governorship candidates are to pay N50 million, while senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates are expected to pay N30 million, N10 million and N2 million respectively.

The Kwara PDP said it would comply with legitimate regulations but rejected what it described as charges imposed without sufficient legal justification.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara, the party questioned the authority behind the new fees and demanded clarification on who approved them, how the amounts were determined and what services the agency would provide in return.

Adewara said KWASAA had legitimate responsibilities, including regulating outdoor advertising, issuing permits and controlling campaign posters and signs, but argued that such powers did not permit the agency to impose arbitrary financial obligations.

“The existence of regulatory powers does not give public institutions an unlimited licence to impose arbitrary financial burdens on citizens and political candidates,” he said.

The PDP warned that the fees could make political participation increasingly dependent on financial capacity, particularly to the disadvantage of opposition parties and less wealthy candidates.

It also cited provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, arguing that government institutions should administer campaign regulations in a manner that guarantees a level playing field for political parties and candidates.

The ADC similarly rejected the fee structure, describing it as a financial barrier to participation in the 2027 elections.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Kabir Basambo, said the N100 million presidential fee amounted to “taxation of democracy” rather than legitimate regulation.

“This is not regulation. This is taxation of democracy,” Basambo said.

The ADC questioned the legal basis for the charges and warned that the policy could restrict political visibility to candidates with substantial financial resources.

According to the party, such a situation could discourage credible aspirants and turn elections into an “auction.”

The ADC also alleged that the agency could be used to restrict opposition activities, insisting that campaign advertising regulations should focus on order, safety and compliance rather than limiting political participation.

Basambo said the party was prepared to challenge the policy through lawful means, including litigation, if the fees were not withdrawn.

The party also urged Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to intervene and direct KWASAA to reconsider the charges.

The objections by both parties come as political activities intensify across Kwara ahead of the 2027 elections. KWASAA, however, maintains that the fees form part of its regulatory framework for political advertising and apply according to the elective position being contested.