INEC: We Lack Power to Sanction States Imposing Prohibitive Fees on Opposition for Campaign Billboards
• Says preparation for 2027 elections preventing commission from responding to Auditor General’s query Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it lacks the constitutional powers
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that it is unable to sanction states imposing high fees on opposition parties for campaign billboards ahead of the 2027 general elections. As the election approaches, state governments have increased signage fees in a bid to disadvantage opposition parties. For example, Kogi State charges N150 million for presidential candidates, N50 million for senatorial candidates, and N5 million for House of Representatives candidates.
Similar high fees are imposed by other states such as Rivers, Abia, Anambra, Cross River, and Benue. Mohammed Haruna, INEC's National Commissioner and Chairman of Voter Education and Publicity, explained that the decision on billboard fees lies with state and local governments, who have no legal limits on the charges they can impose.
Haruna also mentioned that the commission spent N126.46 billion on elections without proper procurement procedures and could not respond to an audit query by the Auditor-General of the Federation due to its focus on preparations for the 2027 elections.
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