Civil rights group faults high billboard fees

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has expressed concern over the high cost of political campaign billboards in some states, warning that the fees could restrict opposition parties’ visibility and undermine fair competition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group said presidential billboard permit fees had reportedly risen to N200m in Abia State, N150m in Enugu, Kogi and Cross River, N75m in Rivers and N50m in Anambra.

It also put the reported fee in Benue State at N40m, describing the charges as a potential obstacle to candidates and political parties without substantial financial resources.

The Situation Room raised the concerns in a statement jointly signed on Thursday by its Convener, Yunusa Yau, and Co-Convener, Mma Odi, in Abuja.

It noted that the reported charges were significantly higher than conventional billboard rental rates, which range from approximately N200,000 to N15m monthly, depending on the location and size of the advertising space.

“Across several states, governments have introduced or substantially increased fees for political campaign advertisements, with presidential billboard permit fees reportedly standing at N200m in Abia, N150m in Enugu, Kogi and Cross River States, N75m in Rivers and N50m in Anambra.

“In Benue, the reported fee for presidential campaign billboards is N40m. These charges are particularly concerning when compared with reported conventional billboard rental rates, which range from approximately N200,000 to N15m monthly, depending on the location and size of the advertising space.

“Although state governments have defended the charges as administrative and regulatory fees applicable to all political parties, the scale of the fees raises serious questions about affordability and whether candidates without access to substantial financial resources can compete for public visibility on equal terms,” the statement read.

The group also expressed concern over reports that opposition parties had been denied access to prime billboard locations, while some campaign advertisements were allegedly destroyed or restricted.

It said the widely circulated claim that the Federal Capital Territory Administration had approved a N750m permit fee for presidential campaign billboards was subsequently denied by the media aide to the FCT minister.

However, it maintained that concerns about unequal political visibility remained relevant.

“Situation Room stresses that regulation of outdoor advertising must not become a means of limiting political expression or placing opposition parties at a disadvantage.

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“All candidates must have fair and reasonable access to public advertising spaces, and the relevant authorities must ensure that fees, permit procedures and allocation of billboard locations are transparent, proportionate and applied without discrimination,” it said.

Beyond billboard charges, the organisation expressed concern over political defections, internal party crises, leadership disputes, contentious primaries and legal disagreements surrounding party structures and candidate nominations.

It warned that persistent internal disputes, competing leadership claims and unresolved litigation could diminish citizens’ electoral choices and undermine confidence in the electoral process.

The group also raised concerns over allegations of interference in opposition political activities and restrictions on access to venues for lawful political gatherings, citing complaints by the African Democratic Congress in Sokoto State.

On election-related violence, the Situation Room cited the CLEEN Foundation’s Election Security Threat Assessment, which recorded 70 physical election-related incidents across 19 states and the FCT between January 1 and October 27, 2026, with 27 fatalities in 20 separate incidents.

It said campaign rallies and party offices were among the major targets of attacks, while violence had reportedly increased around party congresses, primary elections and campaign activities.

The organisation also condemned inflammatory political statements, citing the reported warning by former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, that anyone who rigged the 2027 elections would be killed.

It said electoral malpractice should be addressed through lawful investigation, prosecution and judicial processes rather than threats of violence.

The Situation Room called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to remain impartial in handling election-related security matters and ensure that perpetrators of political violence were brought to justice.

It also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to discharge its regulatory responsibilities transparently and in accordance with the law, while calling on political parties to strengthen their internal democratic processes.

The development comes amid complaints by opposition parties over the affordability of campaign platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.

On Thursday, the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, defended the high cost of billboard advertising in Abuja, arguing that political campaigns were expensive globally and that parties could explore social media to reach voters.