The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi, along with its candidate, Senator Dino Melaye, have expressed their rejection of the campaign material/signage fees recently imposed by the APC-led administration in the state for the upcoming November 11, 2023, Governorship election.
In a statement issued by Kola Olagbondiyan, head of the Dino Media Team, the fees were described as “vexatious, undemocratic, and unrealistic.” The statement criticized the Kogi State Signages Agency for imposing these fees on opposition parties, asserting that it was an attempt to limit the democratic field and hinder the visibility of other political parties before the gubernatorial election.
The PDP stated its unequivocal rejection of what it called the “repugnant, pugnacious, and unlawful guidelines” set by the administration. The party urged other political parties, democratic enthusiasts, and institutions to also oppose these fees. The statement pointed out that the signage fees were not only illegal but also excluded certain Local Government Areas and towns known to be PDP strongholds, such as Ijumu and Ankpa Local Government Areas.
The statement further criticized the imposition of a general payment of five million naira for outdoor campaign materials, two million naira for every billboard, one million naira for every banner deployed, and a caution security deposit of fifty million naira. The PDP argued that these fees were an attempt by the APC administration to defraud the opposition in the state.
The PDP highlighted that the guidelines were rolled out after the ban on political campaigns had been lifted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The party also noted that it had already deployed campaign materials, making the guidelines retroactive and inappropriate. The statement accused Governor Yahaya Bello’s administration of using state resources to the advantage of the APC and its candidates, contrary to electoral regulations.
