Main cover
INEC keeps mum as states scare opposition with campaign permit funds
INEC Chairman
***Kogi, Abia govts slam N150m, N200m for campaign billboards, posters
*** Supporters to pay for wearing branded campaign T-Shirts, caps, bags, others
*** Fees, draconian assault on political participation – PDP
By Eze Nnadi
Ahead of the 2027 general election, opposition political parties and their candidates have continued to witness some harsh campaign policies from the ruling parties across the states, even as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has remained mute, despite suing for equal opportunities for campaign across political lines.
Even as the election umpire has not cleared the parties and their candidates for political campaigns as prescribed by the 2026 Electoral Act as amended, state governments have, in measures to frustrate the opposition parties and their candidates, rolled out stringent financial policies for campaigns.
While the opposition parties and their candidates are to some extent, not allowed to have access to state government-owned electronics media stations for their campaigns, the state governments have equally rolled out stringent and frustrating policies to scare the parties from public campaigns .
For example, the Kogi State Government, on Tuesday, said it has fixed N150 million as the official fee payable by presidential candidates for the placement of campaign billboards, posters and other promotional materials across the state ahead of the 2027 general election.
The government also approved N50 million for senatorial candidates, N30 million for House of Representatives candidates and N5 million for State House of Assembly candidates.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, made the disclosure after a stakeholders’ meeting with the state signage and advertising agency.
Fanwo said the fee will also cover the wearing of branded T-shirts, caps and other political promotional items, by supporters of political parties and their candidates.
According to Fanwo, the fees are intended to regulate political advertising, enforce existing signage laws and boost the state’s internally generated revenue, adding that the fees were determined after a peer review of applicable charges in other states, adding that the government considered them affordable given the scale and reach of political campaigns.
The Kogi state government warned all political parties and candidates against erecting billboards or displaying campaign materials without paying the prescribed fees and obtaining the necessary approvals.
He said offenders, including individuals or organisations found aiding or facilitating violations, would face prosecution.
He said, “In Kogi, APC is the ruling party, but that does not exempt any APC candidate from complying with the law.
“If you are an APC candidate and you did not pay the prescribed fee before placing your billboards or posters, we will remove them and you will be prosecuted.
“The government is for everybody. All political parties and candidates are hereby enjoined to adhere strictly to the regulations governing the placement of campaign materials across the state,” he said.
Fanwo noted that the Kogi State Signage and Advertisement Agency, KOSSAA, under the Ministry of Information and Communications, would coordinate the implementation and enforcement of the new campaign signage regime., adding that enforcement would be carried out fairly and without political discrimination.
In Abia state, opposition political parties and candidates have rejected the N200m fee imposed by the Abia state government as payment for the placement of any campaign billboards across the state ahead of the 2027 general elections
The Abia State government, through the State Structure for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ABSSAA), in a statement on Thursday, announced fees for placement of campaign billboards, posters across the state ahead if the polls.
ABSSAA placed a N200 million signage fee on all 2027 presidential candidates and N150 million for governorship candidates and N20 million on candidates contesting other elective positions before they could display their political campaign posters anywhere in the state.
Rejecting the fees, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), described the fees as not only outrageous and punitive but also a draconian assault on political participation.
PDP in a statement signed by the state Publicity Secretary, Jude Udeachara, said it considered the policy an outrageous commercialisation of the democratic space, a calculated assault on opposition candidates, and an unconscionable attempt to convert political participation into the exclusive privilege of the wealthy and those with access to public funds.
The PDP noted that the fees were not regulation, but political extortion dressed in administrative language, aimed at silencing political opponents and denying less financially endowed candidates the opportunity to communicate with the Abia electorate.
According to the statement, “Governor Otti must be reminded that Abia State is not his private estate and that ABSSAA is not an instrument that may lawfully be deployed to erect financial barricades against opposition political parties. Public advertising spaces are part of the democratic environment in which candidates must be allowed to canvass for votes under fair, transparent and reasonable conditions.
“The imposition of these prohibitive charges raises grave questions about the Otti administration’s understanding of the campaign finance framework established by the Electoral Act 2026.
“Section 92 of the Act limits the total election expenditure of a presidential candidate to ₦10 billion, a governorship candidate to ₦3 billion, a senatorial candidate to ₦500 million, a House of Representatives candidate to ₦250 million, and a State House of Assembly candidate to ₦100 million. A candidate who knowingly exceeds the applicable ceiling commits an offence and may, upon conviction, face a fine, imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both.”
The party argued that if all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory were to replicate Abia’s ₦200 million charge, a presidential candidate would be required to spend ₦7.4 billion on permits alone.
“That would consume 74 per cent of the candidate’s entire ₦10 billion statutory spending ceiling before paying for the production, mounting or maintenance of a single billboard or undertaking any other campaign activity.
“This exposes the absurdity, recklessness and anti-democratic character of the Alex Otti administration’s policy.”
The PDP called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take immediate notice of the development and caution the Abia State Government against policies capable of undermining a level playing field ahead of the 2027 elections.
Also, the governorship candidate of the African Action Congress, (AAC) in Abia State, Doris Ogala, slammed the imposition of N150m charges on guber candidates for the placement of campaign billboards in the state.
Ogala in a video she posted on X, said she does not have a godfather who ‘has stolen government funds’ to pay such an amount of money for billboard display.
She fumed, “People are dying in the hospital. Workers are dying. Their salaries have not been paid, and you are imposing 150 million naira for a candidate. Where will I get the money from?
“Do I have a godfather who has stolen government funds? I should pay 150 million naira. I dare anybody to touch my billboard. All of us will campaign without a billboard in this state.”
It would be recalled that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Adamawa state in the 2027 general election, Omar Suleiman, has been slammed a fine of N3m by a Yola Chief Magistrate Court for pasting his campaign posters on a public infrastructure.
Chief Magistrate Musa Adamu of Chief Magistrate Court No. 2, in a case jointly filed by the Adamawa State Ministry of Environment, the Adamawa State Urban Planning Board and the Attorney-General of Adamawa State, found the candidate guilty for violating Adamawa state environmental and outdoor advertising regulations
The court noted that the posters were found on the Unity Flyover, Jippu-Jam Roundabout in Yola and the Mai Doki Roundabout in Jimet, which the court noted were public places
The court said the matter was treated as an administrative proceeding because the defendant was absent, while no charge was read and no plea was taken.
Authorities said the action was taken under the state’s Executive Order regulating outdoor advertisements and protecting public infrastructure., adding that the court’s decision would serve as a warning to politicians ahead of the 2027 campaigns, as the state government insisted that political activities must comply with environmental and urban planning laws.
It would further be recalled that a primary school head teacher, in Orumba South local government area of Anambra state was suspended by the state education board for approving the Community Primary School, Umunze premises for an opposition party rally, during the 2025 governorship election in the state
Despite all the numerous attempts by ruling parties and their states to frustrate and push the opposition political parties out of public space ahead of the 2027 polls, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has however, remained silence, even as it had earlier threatened to sanction ruling political parties, whose governments are using the fees to clampdown on opposition campaigns and democracy.
***Four years not enough to solve decades of challenges – Tinubu
*** Says reforms didn’t weaken nation’s economy
*Atiku, CAN, others react
By Eze Nnadi
As Nigerians marked the country’s 66th independence anniversary in a very low key on October 1, President Bola Tinubu has declared that the numerous challenges confronting the country cannot be solved in only four years of his administration.
The president said his administration cannot erase in four years the challenges that accumulated in Nigeria over several generations, even as he assured that he can change the country’s trajectory and build an economy that lifts people out of poverty.
Tinubu, who made the declaration during his Independence Day address to Nigerians on Thursday, admitted that millions of Nigerians still struggle with high cost of food, education, healthcare and transportation.
The address has however received different reactions from stakeholders, especially the political and religious class.
The president insisted that the nation’s difficulties predated his administration and the reforms he introduced, arguing that his reforms did no weaken the nation’s economy as being claimed in some quarters
This is as former vice president, and presidential candidate of the opposition African Democratic Congress, (ADC) Atiku Abubarkar slammed the president’s claim that reforms introduced by his administration have paved the way for stability and prosperity in the country.
Atiku in his anniversary statement, questioned the stability and prosperity claim of President Tinubu, even as he accused him of plunging the country deeper into poverty and hardship, in the last three and half years of his administration.
President Tinubu, in his independence anniversary address to the nation said, “We cannot erase in four years what accumulated over generations. But we can change its course.
“We can build an economy that steadily lifts people out of poverty while ensuring that those who remain vulnerable are not abandoned along the way.”
The president argued that the hardships faced by vulnerable Nigerians were the result of “decades of low productivity, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient opportunity and institutions that too often failed those who needed them most”.
He disclosed that his government is currently strengthening direct support for the poorest households and improving the National Social Register to ensure assistance reach people who genuinely need it.
The president cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund), as a means of helping children from low-income families access higher education despite their parents’ inability to afford fees.
He similarly listed CREDICORP as another of his administration’s measures towards providing working Nigerians with access to consumer credit for vehicles, solar systems, digital devices and other essential assets.
Tinubu assured that his administration would continue working with state and local governments to strengthen primary healthcare, basic education and other essential public services.
Atiku, who slammed Tinubu’s declaration that Nigeria has entered an “age of prosperity”, reminded him that millions of Nigerians are still struggling with food, transport, healthcare, education and insecurity.
He regretted that the three years of Tinubu’s administration had exposed millions of Nigerians to severe hardship and poverty, ranging from cost-of-living crisis, forcing families to skipping meals, delaying medical treatment and borrowing money to survive until payday.
“Today, Bola Tinubu told us that the ‘emergency treatment is over’ and the ‘age of prosperity’ has begun
“A President may announce a new chapter in a speech. He cannot announce food onto a family’s table or money into a worker’s pocket.
“Bola, where is this prosperity? he queried
He argued that while a slower increase in prices could indicate lower inflation, it did not restore the purchasing power families had already lost.
“Bola says inflation has fallen. A slower rise in prices does not restore what families have lost,” he said.
He also acknowledged growth and rising exports but said such indicators should ultimately translate into improved living conditions.
“Nigerian businesses deserve credit for what they have achieved. But growth must improve lives. It cannot be a certificate of success that government awards itself while citizens struggle to survive,” he said.
Atiku used the prices of petrol and basic food items to illustrate the pressure on households since Tinubu assumed office.
He said a ₦30,000 minimum wage in April 2023 could buy about 118 litres of petrol, while a ₦70,000 minimum wage now buys about 50 litres.
“The salary has more than doubled on paper; the petrol it can buy has fallen by more than half,” he said.
Atiku also said the average price of an egg rose from about ₦88 in April 2023 to ₦261 in the country
“These may look like small items in a government report. In a family home, they are breakfast. They are the money left for a child’s lunch,” he said.
“If 2023 was the illness, why does your ‘cure’ buy less fuel, fewer eggs and a smaller loaf of bread?”
The former vice president rejected the suggestion that Nigerians demanding relief from high petrol prices were simply calling for a return to fuel subsidy.
“No mother struggling to feed her children is asking for ‘morphine’. No worker spending his wages on transport is addicted to subsidy,” he said.
“They are asking what happened to the savings you promised and when your reforms will bring down the cost of living.”
Atiku said his administration, if elected, would introduce a capped and budgeted production subsidy tied to verified fuel refined in Nigeria.
He said the scheme would include fuel produced by modular refineries but would exclude imported petrol.
“The benefit must reach consumers through lower pump prices,” he said.
According to Atiku, the costs of the programme would be published, while payments would be independently audited. He also said government waste would be cut to help fund the scheme.
“The principle is simple: produce here, refine here, create jobs here and pay less here,” he said.
“If Bola disagrees, he should answer the proposal on its merits. Calling relief an addiction will not lower the price of petrol.”
“A student loan does not make education affordable when fees are rising,” Atiku said.
***Prosperity yet to reach Nigerian homes — CAN
In its message, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, said the president’s prosperity claims is yet to reflect on the the suffering Nigerians, as poverty and hardship have persisted.
CAN therefore urged the government to ensure that its promise of prosperity translates into cheaper food, lower transport and energy costs, jobs for young people and safer communities.
CAN President , Archbishop Daniel Okoh advised in his independent anniversary statement that government must not rely on the macros economic figures to claim stability noting that the real question should be whether families can afford the basics, young people can find decent work and people can go about their businesses without fear.
The Christian body however welcomed the shift from economic reforms to a focus on prosperity, but stressed that Nigerians must feel the impact in their daily lives.
“We welcome the shift from an era of economic reforms to an era of prosperity. But the true test of progress is not in statistics alone. It is whether families can afford food, young people can find decent work, communities can live in safety and every child has a fair opportunity to build a future,” he said.
CAN urged the government to make lower food, transport and energy costs a measurable priority, saying Nigerians who had endured years of economic pressure deserved to see relief in their daily lives.
The association also called for stronger support for vulnerable families, education, healthcare and affordable credit, with safeguards against diversion of funds.
“Support for vulnerable families, education, healthcare and affordable credit should be strengthened, transparently administered and protected from diversion,” CAN said.
CAN further argued that there could be no meaningful prosperity if Nigerians were unable to farm, trade or travel without fear.
“There can be no meaningful prosperity where citizens cannot farm, trade, travel or sleep peacefully because of fear,” the association said.
General News
Independence Anniversary: Workers expect wage increase, reduction in petrol price, others, says Union
***Reaffirms Sept. 30 ultimatum, strike threat
By Sam Otuonye
As President Bola Tinubu gets set to address Nigerians on Thursday, October 1, to commemorate the country’s 66th year of Independence, the Nigerian public servants have listed wage increase and reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit ( PMS), otherwise known as petrol as the things expected to dominate the speech and make them renege on their earlier threat of embarking on a strike action.
Nigerian public servants under the aegis of Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), which made the declaration in a statement on Tuesday, reaffirmed their September 30, 2026 ultimatum to the federal government over the rising cost of petrol as well as their demand for a wage award and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
The workers union, which issued a three-day warning strike notice to the Federal Government, beginning October 2, said they would have no other option than to commence their warned strike action, if the government fails to slash the price of petrol, announce a wage award and introduce other measures to cushion the crushing hardship in the country.
The statement, which listed members of the JNPSNC to include the Nigerian Civil Service Union (NCSU); Medical and Health Workers Union (M&HWU); Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN); and National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Employees (AUPCTRE); Nigeria Union of Public Service, Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processors and Allied Workers (NUPSRAW); National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers (NUPPPPROW); and National Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees (NUAAE), said it had mobilised public servants across the country for a three-day warning strike if the Federal Government failed to address the issues raised in its letter to President Bola Tinubu before the deadline.
The union in its statement, signed by the National Secretary of the JNPSNC and General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Olowoyo Gbenga, noted that it had earlier written to President Bola Tinubu on September 21, demanding that the price of petrol be slashed to N500, the immediate announcement of a wage award and the beginning of negotiations for not less than N500,000 minimum wage from 2027, among others.
The statement warned that if the president fails to address the unions demands during the Independence anniversary speech, “public servants nationwide would commence a three-day warning strike beginning October 2, 2026”, stressing that the concerns of Nigerian workers should no longer be ignored.
According to the statement, “the three critical issues requiring urgent attention are as follows: reduction of fuel price to N500 per litre. The Federal Government should take urgent steps to bring down the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to N500 per litre.
“This can be achieved through the provision of an intervention fund to address landing costs and support oil and gas operators.
“It is equally important for the Federal Government to ensure the sale of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery and operators of modular refineries at appropriate terms in order to facilitate increased domestic refining and help bring down the price of petroleum products.
“The current price of PMS, ranging from N1,450 to N2,000 and, in some locations outside major communities and cities, as high as N2,500 per litre, is unacceptable to Nigerian workers.
“The Council maintains that the economic hardship occasioned by the high cost of fuel is placing the survival of Nigerian workers, their dependants and the general populace under severe pressure, making it increasingly difficult for Nigerians to live normal and dignified lives.
Continuing, the union demanded that “the federal government should urgently approve a wage award for Nigerian workers to cushion the effects of the prevailing harsh economic conditions being experienced by workers, their dependants, and vulnerable Nigerians.
“The Council believes that urgent action on this demand will further enable public servants to consolidate their loyalty, commitment and productivity within the public service ecosystem.
“The Federal Government should urgently establish a tripartite committee to commence and facilitate negotiations for the new National Minimum Wage expected to become due in 2027.
“The Nigerian workers’ demand for the immediate constitution of the committee is informed by the need to avoid any administrative or procedural delay that could affect the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage once it is eventually negotiated and passed into law by the National Assembly.
“Consequently, the Council states that failure by the Federal Government to take the necessary steps to address these issues on or before 30th September 2026 will leave Nigerian workers with no option but to commence a three-day warning strike, with effect from Friday, 2nd October 2026, to press home their demands.
“It is imperative to state clearly that the Independence Day address of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should adequately address these critical issues.
“Failure to address the concerns raised by the Council, will attract the displeasure of Nigerian workers and their dependants, as well as other vulnerable Nigerians who continue to bear the brunt of the prevailing economic hardship,” the union warned
From Lawrence Davids (Lagos)
President Bola Tinubu returned to the country, Tuesday evening, after a four- week working vacation in Europe, declaring himself healthy, sound and ready to go.
The President arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, where he was received by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other dignitaries.
Responding to journalists about his health condition, the President said he remained fit and prepared to continue his duties.
“Rumours will always be emanate from politics. I am hale and strong. I am ready to work. The fact remains that I am here, healthy, sound and ready to go,” Tinubu said.
Tinubu had left Abuja on August 30 for the working vacation, spending one week in London before travelling to Paris, where he spent additional one three weeks.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu departed Paris for Lagos, where he is expected to hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates.
“While in Lagos, President Tinubu will also hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates over several days in preparation for the 2027 elections,” the statement read.
The Presidency said Tinubu chose to travel to Lagos first to honour the memory of the late Chief MKO Abiola, winner of the June 1993 presidential election and a prominent figure in Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
“On October 1, Independence Day, the President would attend the premiere of a movie honouring Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos,” the statement added.
The President had departed Nigeria on August 30 for London before travelling to Paris, with the Presidency describing the trip as a working vacation. He later extended his stay by a few days before returning to Nigeria on Tuesday.
The President is expected to remain in Lagos for the 66th Independence Anniversary celebrations.
He is scheduled to attend official engagements in the state, including activities marking Nigeria’s independence on October 1, before returning to Abuja.
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