The Ondo State Government has clarified the recently announced permit fees for political campaign signage, reaffirming its firm commitment to democratic principles.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued by Yòmí Oyékàn, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Signage and Advertisement, on Thursday in Akure.
According to the government, regulating campaign signage is a normal governance responsibility aimed at protecting public spaces, ensuring safety, and maintaining environmental order — not an attempt to restrict democracy or silence political actors.
The statement read in part:
“The Ondo State Government has noted public reactions regarding the recently announced campaign signage permit fees and wishes to reaffirm its firm commitment to democratic principles, including freedom of political expression, lawful campaigning, and orderly engagement with the electorate.
“Regulation of campaign signage is a standard governance responsibility aimed at protecting public spaces, ensuring safety, and maintaining environmental order not a restriction on democracy.”
The government emphasised that Ondo State remains one of the states with the lowest rates for campaign signage permits in Nigeria.
It noted that instead of increasing the amount charged in previous election cycles, the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa deliberately reduced the fees to ease financial pressure on political aspirants.
Under the new framework, Senatorial aspirants are required to pay ₦2,000,000, House of Representatives aspirants ₦1,500,000, while House of Assembly aspirants are charged ₦1,000,000.
The government said the structure is based on campaign exposure, geographic spread, and environmental impact associated with each office.
The statement added: “It would be recalled that during the 2024 election cycle, aspirants in Ondo State paid ₦2,500,000 for campaign signage permits, while the state also incurred several millions of naira in post-election clean-up, removal of defaced materials, and restoration of public infrastructure.”
The government further argued that similar or higher charges apply across Nigeria.
It cited LASAA’s multi-million-naira fees for campaign billboards in Lagos, as well as the high outdoor advertising charges applicable in Oyo State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
It also noted that some states — including Anambra, Kogi and Imo — have publicly imposed fees ranging from ₦5 million to over ₦50 million depending on the category of signage and location.
“These realities necessitated a review of the framework to strike a balance between access, fairness, and the cost of regulation borne by government and taxpayers,” the statement explained.
The government insisted that portraying Ondo State’s policy as excessive or unusual is misleading, stressing that the permit regime is moderate, consistent with national norms, and designed to curb visual pollution, prevent disorderly placement of campaign materials, and fund post-election clean-up operations.
“The Ondo State Government remains committed to a balanced, fair and people-centred approach that protects public order and the collective interest of the people of Ondo State,” the statement concluded.
