Kwara PDP and ADC oppose high fees for political ads

The Kwara State branches of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have rejected new fees for political campaign ads from the Kwara State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KWASAA).

They called the fees too high, unfair, and likely to keep opposition parties from taking part in the 2027 elections.

Their reaction came after a meeting about political advertising and campaign communication held by KWASAA in Ilorin. The agency introduced a new fee schedule that ranges from N2 million to N100 million for candidates running for different offices.

According to the schedule, presidential candidates will pay N100 million for ad permits. Governorship candidates will pay N50 million, senatorial candidates N30 million, House of Representatives candidates N10 million, and House of Assembly candidates N2 million.

On Sunday, Olusegun Adewara, the Publicity Secretary for Kwara PDP, said the party and its candidates won’t accept charges they see as unreasonable, illegal, or not backed by proper legal documents.

Adewara stated that the PDP would follow valid rules about lawful and responsible political communication. But they will resist what he called an unfair financial burden from the state government.

He acknowledged KWASAA's role in regulating outdoor advertising, issuing permits, and controlling political posters and signs. Still, he questioned the legality and reasoning behind the new fees. He asked who approved the fees, how they were calculated, and what services KWASAA would provide to justify such high costs.

Adewara said, "The existence of regulatory powers does not give public institutions an unlimited licence to impose arbitrary financial burdens on citizens and political candidates."

He also warned that these charges could limit fair participation in the elections, especially if opposition candidates cannot pay the fees.

The PDP referenced parts of the Electoral Act 2026 that cover political campaigns and media access. They argued that public institutions should not favor or harm any political party or candidate.

The party added that carrying out this policy as it is now could make political communication only accessible to rich candidates and the ruling party.

"The new KWASA policy, if implemented in its present form, could have the practical effect of turning political communication into an exclusive preserve of the ruling party and this will be fatally unhealthy for our democracy," he said.

The ADC also rejected the new fees, calling them a way to create a financial barrier for political participation as the 2027 elections approach.

In a separate statement from its state Publicity Secretary, Kabir Basambo, the ADC said the N100 million fee for presidential permits and other charges were like "taxation of democracy."

Basambo stated, "This is not regulation. This is taxation of democracy."

The ADC claimed the fees were illegal and unfair, saying KWASAA had not shown a solid legal reason for the charges.

They argued that this policy would make political visibility only possible for those with substantial money, keeping out credible candidates and turning elections into an "auction."

The ADC also accused KWASAA of trying to silence opposing voices, insisting the agency should focus on order and safety instead of limiting political participation.

Basambo mentioned that the party would challenge the policy through legal and democratic means, including going to court, if the fees are not withdrawn.

The ADC urged Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to tell KWASAA to cancel the fees, stressing that rules for political advertising must be fair, lawful, and open to all.

The protests from these two opposition parties come as political groups in Kwara prepare for the 2027 elections. Campaign activities are expected to ramp up before the official election period starts.

KWASAA stated that the new fees are part of its rules for political advertising, and these charges apply to all categories of candidates.