PDP candidate rejects Kogi’s N5m campaign billboard levy

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Ogugu State Constituency in Kogi State's House of Assembly, Michael Idoko, has rejected a proposed N5 million campaign signage fee imposed by the state government ahead of the 2027 general elections. Idoko called the levy "anti-democratic and anti-people," arguing that it could make political participation dependent on candidates' financial capacity.

The Kogi State Government had set official fees of N150m for presidential candidates, N50m for senatorial candidates, and N30m for House of Representatives candidates. The N5m fee for State House of Assembly candidates was disclosed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, after a stakeholders' meeting with the signage and advertising sector.

Idoko criticized the policy as a disconnect between the government and citizens' economic realities, questioning the effectiveness of billboards in winning votes. He argued that elections are won through grassroots mobilisation, credibility, service, and public trust, not expensive billboards. Idoko proposed reallocating the N5m to address residents' needs, such as paying school fees, supporting widows, empowering youths, and providing medical assistance.

He also warned that the levies could discourage young, women, and grassroots politicians from running for office, threatening democracy if access to public office becomes determined by candidates' ability to pay.