Get Guardian on GoogleThe Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has raised concerns over rising fees for political campaign billboards in several states, warning that the charges could restrict opposition parties’ visibility and undermine fair political competition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group said some state governments had introduced or substantially increased fees for political campaign advertisements, with presidential billboard permit fees reportedly reaching N200 million in Abia State, N150 million in Enugu, Kogi and Cross River states, and N75 million in Rivers State.
It also cited reported charges of N50 million in Anambra and N40 million in Benue states.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Co-Convener, Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, Celestine Odo,, said the fees raised questions about whether candidates without substantial financial resources could compete for public visibility on equal terms.
It noted that the reported permit fees were significantly higher than conventional billboard rental rates, which range from approximately N200,000 to N15 million monthly, depending on the location and size of the advertising space.
Although state governments had defended the charges as administrative and regulatory fees applicable to all political parties, the group said their scale remained a source of concern.
Odo added that a widely circulated claim that the Federal Capital Territory Administration had approved a N750 million permit fee for presidential campaign billboards was subsequently denied by the FCT Minister’s media aide.
However, the group said the broader concern about unequal political visibility remained relevant.
It also cited reports of opposition parties allegedly being denied access to prime billboard locations, having their campaign advertisements destroyed or facing restrictions on the display of campaign materials.
“Situation Room stresses that regulation of outdoor advertising must not become a means of limiting political expression or placing opposition parties at a disadvantage,” it said.
The group called on relevant authorities to ensure that fees, permit procedures and the allocation of billboard locations were transparent, proportionate and applied without discrimination.
The group also raised alarm over rising political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying 27 people were killed in 20 election-related incidents recorded across the country in the first 10 months of 2026.
The organisation said the incidents formed part of 70 physical election-related attacks recorded across 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory between January 1 and October 27, 2026.
It said the figures were contained in the CLEEN Foundation’s Election Security Threat Assessment, which identified campaign rallies and party offices as major targets of political violence.
The group expressed concern over what it described as a shrinking political space, growing hostility among political parties and the increasing use of intimidation to discourage opposition activities.
“The Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies must demonstrate absolute impartiality in the discharge of their responsibilities. Security deployments, investigations and enforcement actions must not favour or disadvantage any political party or candidate.
“The Situation Room calls for the prompt investigation of documented incidents of political intimidation and violence, including the identification and prosecution of sponsors, organisers and perpetrators. Political violence must not become an instrument for determining who can campaign, who can participate or whose votes will count”, Odo stated.
On preparations for the elections, the Situation Room expressed concern over issues surrounding the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission, particularly appointments and the redeployment of personnel.
It urged INEC to address concerns raised over its preliminary voters’ register, following the publication of the register on October 26.
The commission had acknowledged the need for verification and data cleaning after concerns were raised over suspected AI-generated photographs and questionable records in the preliminary register.
The Situation Room said the credibility of the voters’ register was central to public confidence in the electoral process and urged INEC to ensure that all irregularities were addressed before the final certification expected on December 15.
