2027: Parties, Candidates To Pay Up To N100m For Campaign Permits In Kwara

The Kwara State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KWASAA)
has fixed between N2m and N100m as campaign permit fees for parties’ candidates in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The general manager of KWASAA, Mr Toba Adeyeye announced this in Ilorin at a one-day stakeholders engagement on political advertising and campaign communications in Kwara State.

The programme was organised by KWASAA and Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), and was attended by dignitaries that cut across political parties, media organisations, advertising agencies, community organisations, civil society groups, and traditional rulers.

Adeyeye added that: “The permits cover the deployment of campaign materials and activities including posters, public address systems, branded vehicles, banners, fliers, buntings, T-shirts, caps, street storms, campaign booths, rallies, and other related promotional materials within approved locations across the relevant electoral areas in the state.”

He said unregulated political advertising distorts the electoral environment and undermines public safety .

He said all political candidates have every right to reach the electorate, to state their case, or seek a mandate, but the manner in which they often carry this out is concerning – a reason why they engaged the key players.

Adeyeye said the agency is not, and will never be an instrument of any political party, any candidate, or any interest in the cause of discharge their duties, asking all political parties to feel free to seek their services.

“We are here to serve the interest of all Kwarans, without bias, without favour, and without discrimination. Let no one who competes lawfully ever have cause to feel that this office worked against them,” he added.

In her remarks, commissioner for Communications, Hon. Bolanle Olukoju, stressed the need for all actors in the advertising industry to adhere strictly to laid down regulations.

Olukoju, while explaining the danger in disinformation and defamation, said though it is legitimate for political communicators or advertising practitioners to persuade the public but they must ensure that it is neither capable of maligning nor inciting violence.

She urged political communicators to always draw a line between an honest argument and deliberate deception, and between competitive politics and incitement, while making their legitimate conversations.

The director general, Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, for his part, urged political actors to moderate their political campaign in a manner that will not threaten peace, noting that communication is a national security issue.

Mr Charles Odenigbo, an advertising expert, who keynoted the session, spoke extensively on the concept of advertisement, its guiding rules and penalties when there are infractions.

He said, according to the Article 76 to 79 of the ARCON Act 2022, political advertising is expected to be issue-oriented and devoid of abusive statements or references.