The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has raised alarm over the escalating cost of political campaign billboards across several states, cautioning that the fees could stifle opposition visibility and compromise fair competition in the run-up to the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday and jointly signed by its Convener, Yunusa Z. Yau, and Co-Convener, Mma Odi, the civil society coalition warned that the charges, if left unchecked, could tilt the political playing field in favour of well-funded candidates and parties.
Presidential Billboard Fees Reach Hundreds of Millions
According to the group, presidential billboard permit fees have reportedly climbed to N200 million in Abia State, N150 million in Enugu, Kogi and Cross River States, N75 million in Rivers State and N50 million in Anambra State. In Benue State, the reported fee for presidential campaign billboards stands at N40 million.
The Situation Room described these figures as a potential obstacle for candidates and political parties that lack substantial financial resources, noting that the sums far exceed conventional billboard rental rates. It explained that standard advertising rates typically range from approximately N200,000 to N15 million 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,” the statement read. “These charges are particularly concerning when compared with reported conventional billboard rental rates.”
Affordability and Equal Visibility Under Scrutiny
While acknowledging that state governments have defended the charges as administrative and regulatory fees applicable to all political parties, the group argued that 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 Situation Room 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 noted that the 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 media aide to the FCT Minister. Nevertheless, the group maintained that concerns about unequal political visibility remain 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,” it said. “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.”
Defections, Party Crises and Leadership Disputes
Beyond billboard charges, the organisation voiced 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.
Election Violence and Inflammatory Rhetoric
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 Federal Capital Territory between January 1 and October 27, 2026, with 27 fatalities in 20 separate incidents.
According to the group, 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 insisted that electoral malpractice should be addressed through lawful investigation, prosecution and judicial processes rather than threats of violence.
Calls for Impartiality and Transparency
The Situation Room called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to remain impartial in handling election-related security matters and to ensure that perpetrators of political violence are 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 are expensive globally and that parties could explore social media to reach voters.
