…Agency reviews campaign advertisement rates after stakeholders’ outcry
By Segun Adegboyega
The Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, has urged political parties, candidates and other stakeholders to comply strictly with the guidelines issued by the Kogi State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KOSSAA) on political campaign advertisements and the display of promotional materials across the state.
Fanwo gave the charge in a goodwill message at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by KOSSAA at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Lokoja, on Tuesday.
The commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Awulu David Tijani, said the meeting was convened to deliberate on the guidelines regulating outdoor political campaign advertisements in the state.
He stressed the need for responsible, lawful and transparent political communication that respects citizens’ rights, protects public spaces and promotes the collective interest of the state.
According to him, effective regulation would help prevent environmental degradation, obstruction of public spaces, visual pollution, misinformation and unnecessary tension among political supporters.
Fanwo clarified that the regulations were not intended to suppress political expression or unfairly restrict the activities of any political party or candidate, but to establish a transparent and equitable framework for political advertisements.
“The objective of the regulations is not to suppress political expression or unfairly restrict the activities of any political party or candidate. Rather, it is to ensure equal and fair access, environmental protection, public safety, accountability, peaceful political participation and institutional coordination across the state,” he said.
He added that the Kogi State Government recognised the importance of an informed citizenry and the contribution of responsible political communication to democratic development.
The commissioner also said the Ministry of Information and Communications remained committed to promoting effective public communication, professionalism in the information sector and access to credible information through lawful channels.
Fanwo urged political parties, candidates, campaign organisations and their supporters to exercise restraint and respect the rights of others, warning against the destruction of rival parties’ legally displayed advertisements, unauthorised occupation of designated advertising spaces and attempts to provoke confrontations through political displays.
He further called on stakeholders to protect public property and preserve the environmental quality of towns and cities across the state.
KOSSAA reviews campaign advertisement rates
Speaking after the meeting, the General Manager of KOSSAA, Hon. Osaseyi Richard, disclosed that the agency had reviewed the proposed advertisement rates following deliberations and recommendations by stakeholders.
He said the revised rates were intended to encourage greater compliance with the guidelines while taking into account concerns raised by political parties over the cost of campaign advertisements.
Under the revised rates announced by the agency, presidential candidates are to pay ₦25 million, senatorial candidates ₦20 million, House of Representatives candidates ₦10 million, House of Assembly candidates ₦1.5 million, and chairmanship candidates ₦1 million.
Richard urged all candidates and political stakeholders to comply with the approved guidelines, warning that violations could attract enforcement measures and penalties in accordance with the applicable laws.
He reiterated that KOSSAA’s primary responsibility was to regulate outdoor advertisements and other promotional materials across the state.
Political parties demand level playing field
Earlier, representatives of various political parties called on the agency to ensure a level playing field for all political parties, arguing that fairness in the implementation of the guidelines was essential to strengthening democracy.
They also appealed for a substantial reduction in the advertisement rates, expressing concern that the earlier charges were beyond the financial capacity of many opposition candidates and could restrict their ability to compete effectively.
The representatives maintained that a more affordable and equitable fee structure would promote inclusiveness and prevent regulations from placing smaller parties at a disadvantage.
The representative of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Elder Ibrahim Itodo, commended KOSSAA for considering the concerns raised by stakeholders and reviewing the rates.
He described the decision as a positive response to their appeal and assured the agency that political parties would comply with the revised rates and applicable guidelines.
