States Impose Hefty Campaign Billboard Fees Ahead Of Elections, Opposition Kicks

States Impose Hefty Campaign Billboard Fees Ahead of Elections, Opposition Kicks Several states, including Abia, Anambra, Bauchi and Ebonyi, have imposed hefty fees on political campaign billboards and related advertising ahead of the forthcoming elections, with levies reportedly ranging from N20 million to more than N200 million.

The development has sparked concerns among opposition parties and political stakeholders, who argue that the high charges could restrict political participation and place an undue financial burden on candidates and parties seeking to campaign across the states.

The affected states have introduced or increased permits and charges for political advertisements, including campaign billboards, as part of measures governing outdoor advertising and political campaigns. In some cases, the fees run into tens or hundreds of millions of naira, depending on the location, size and duration of the billboard placement. Opposition voices have criticised the measures, describing the steep charges as excessive and potentially capable of creating an uneven playing field ahead of the elections.

They urged state governments to review the fees and ensure that campaign regulations do not become barriers to the participation of political parties and candidates. The controversy comes as political activities intensify across the country, with parties and aspirants stepping up mobilisation, publicity and grassroots campaigns ahead of the elections. Stakeholders have also called for greater transparency in the administration of campaign permits and advertising regulations, stressing the need for rules that balance government regulation with the constitutional right to political participation. The rising cost of campaign advertising adds to growing concerns over the financial burden of electioneering in Nigeria, particularly for candidates and parties with limited resources.