The south east zone of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), has raised concerns over the exorbitant billboard and outdoor advertising fees being imposed on political candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The council alleged that charges for billboard placement in some states in the south-east, including Enugu State, run into tens or hundreds of millions of naira, with some reports putting the cost as high as N150 million.
Vice-President of the NYCN, South-East Zone, Atigwe Ifeanyi, raised the concerns at a press briefing on Saturday. Ifeanyi warned that excessive advertising fees could restrict political participation and give an unfair advantage to wealthy candidates and ruling political parties.
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He said such charges could make the democratic process inaccessible to young Nigerians with political ambition but limited financial resources.
“If candidates are required to pay such extraordinary sums before they can erect campaign billboards or freely display their campaign materials, then the democratic process risks becoming an exclusive preserve of the financially powerful,” he said.
“Democracy must not become a system where only the wealthiest candidates can make themselves visible to the electorate.”
The council urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the federal government and relevant regulatory and security agencies to investigate the alleged charges and ensure that regulations were not being used to restrict legitimate political participation.
The NYCN also expressed concern over alleged intimidation, harassment and obstruction of opposition parties, candidates and their supporters in some parts of the region.
It alleged that opposition parties were sometimes prevented from using public schools, government premises and other public facilities for political gatherings, while ruling parties were allegedly granted access to such facilities.
“Public property belongs to the people and must be administered fairly and transparently. Government facilities must not become instruments for political victimisation or witch-hunting,” the council said.
It called on INEC, state governments and security agencies to ensure equal treatment for all political parties and candidates ahead of the elections.
The council also urged INEC to strengthen its monitoring mechanisms and sanction political actors or public officials who violate electoral guidelines or deliberately prevent opponents from campaigning.
“INEC must not wait until election day before addressing violations that could affect the credibility of the electoral process. The electoral environment leading to the election is just as important as the election itself,” it said.
The NYCN further proposed that INEC establish and regularly update a publicly accessible database containing the names, photographs, political parties and other relevant information of duly nominated candidates across the South-East.
According to the council, the database would help voters identify candidates and reduce the disadvantage faced by those unable to afford expensive billboard campaigns.
While acknowledging the authority of governments to regulate outdoor advertising, the group said such regulations must be reasonable, transparent, non-discriminatory and applied equally to all political parties and candidates.
It appealed to governors and relevant authorities in the five South-Eastern states to review any excessive campaign advertising charges.
The council also encouraged young Nigerians to register, obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and participate actively in the 2027 elections.
It, however, cautioned youths against violence, urging them to pursue electoral grievances through lawful and constitutional means by documenting irregularities and using appropriate institutions and legal channels.
“The 2027 General Elections must be an election where every Nigerian — young or old, rich or poor, ruling party or opposition — has an equal opportunity to participate,” the council said.
“Let there be a level playing field. Let every candidate be heard. Let every voter be free. Let every vote count.”
