Kwara PDP ADC: Reject N100m Political Advert Fee as Excessive

• The Kwara State chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) have rejected new political campaign advertising permit charges introduced by the Kwara State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KWASAA).
• The new fee schedule ranges from N2 million for House of Assembly candidates to N100 million for presidential aspirants, which the parties deem excessive and unjustifiable.
• Both parties argue that these charges lack a sufficient legal basis and could undermine equal participation in the 2027 elections by making political communication exclusive to wealthy candidates.
• The PDP cited provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 regarding political communication, while the ADC labeled the fees a "taxation of democracy" and plans to challenge the policy through legal means, including the courts.

The outcome of this potential legal challenge could significantly influence campaign budgeting and compliance strategies for the 2027 elections, potentially establishing a precedent for similar regulations across other Nigerian states regarding electoral fairness and access.

The Kwara State chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have publicly denounced new political campaign advertising permit charges introduced by the Kwara State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KWASAA). Both parties characterized the recently unveiled fees as excessive, unjustifiable, and a potential impediment to opposition participation in the upcoming 2027 elections. This strong reaction followed a stakeholders’ engagement session on political advertising and campaign communications, which KWASAA hosted in Ilorin, where the agency formally presented its revised fee structure.

Under the new schedule, candidates vying for various elective positions face significantly increased costs for advertising permits. Presidential aspirants are now required to pay N100 million, while those seeking the governorship will incur a N50 million charge. Candidates for the Senate face a N30 million fee, House of Representatives hopefuls N10 million, and individuals contesting for the House of Assembly must pay N2 million. The political parties argue that these Kwara State Signage and Advertisement Agency political advert charges represent an unreasonable financial burden.

Olusegun Adewara, the Kwara PDP Publicity Secretary, stated that his party and its candidates would not comply with charges they deem arbitrary, unlawful, or lacking a valid legal foundation. While acknowledging KWASAA's legitimate regulatory functions, such as overseeing outdoor advertising structures, issuing permits, and controlling posters and political signs, Adewara questioned the administrative and legal basis for the new fees. He specifically sought clarification on who authorized the charges, the methodology used for their calculation, and the specific services KWASAA would provide to justify the millions of naira being demanded.

The PDP spokesman emphasized that while public institutions possess regulatory authority, this does not grant them an unlimited license to impose arbitrary financial burdens on citizens and political candidates. He further contended that such high fees could undermine equal participation in the electoral process, especially for opposition parties and candidates who may struggle to afford them. The party also referenced provisions within the Electoral Act 2026 concerning political campaigns and media access, asserting that public bodies should not be utilized to favor or disadvantage any particular political party or candidate.

Similarly, the Kwara State chapter of the ADC, through its State Publicity Secretary Kabir Basambo, rejected the fees, describing them as an attempt to create a financial barrier to political engagement ahead of the Kwara 2027 election advertising. Basambo explicitly labeled the N100 million presidential permit fee and other associated charges as a "taxation of democracy," arguing that this was not regulation but rather an imposition. The ADC maintained that the fees were illegal and unjustifiable, stressing that KWASAA had failed to provide a sufficient legal rationale for their implementation.

Both the PDP and ADC expressed profound concerns that the policy, if implemented in its current form, could effectively transform political communication into an exclusive domain for wealthy candidates and the incumbent ruling party. This scenario, they warned, would be detrimental to the health of Nigeria's democracy by limiting access and visibility. The ADC specifically argued that the fees would make political visibility accessible only to those with substantial financial resources, thereby excluding credible aspirants and reducing elections to what they termed an "auction."

The ADC also accused KWASAA of potentially being used to suppress opposition voices, asserting that the agency's primary role should be to regulate order and safety, not to restrict political participation. In light of these concerns, the ADC has indicated its intention to challenge the policy through lawful and democratic avenues, including recourse to the courts, should the legality of N100m campaign fees remain. The outcome of this potential legal challenge could significantly influence campaign budgeting and compliance strategies for the 2027 elections, potentially establishing a precedent for similar regulations across other Nigerian states regarding electoral fairness and access.

Lawyers advising political parties or candidates in Kwara State should monitor the legal challenge against KWASAA's new N100m political advertising fees. The outcome could significantly impact campaign budgeting, compliance strategies for the 2027 elections, and potentially set a precedent for similar regulations in other Nigerian states regarding electoral fairness and access.

Source: Reporting based on original news coverage.