The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kwara State have rejected the new political campaign advertising permit charges introduced by the Kwara State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KWASAA).

The two opposition parties described the fees as excessive and unjustifiable, warning that they could restrict political participation and undermine competition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The parties expressed their positions following a stakeholders' engagement on political advertising and campaign communications organised by KWASAA in Ilorin, where the agency unveiled a new fee schedule ranging from N2 million to N100 million for candidates contesting various elective positions.

Under the new schedule, presidential candidates are required to pay N100 million for campaign advertising permits, while governorship candidates will pay N50 million, senatorial candidates N30 million, House of Representatives candidates N10 million and House of Assembly candidates N2 million.

In a statement on Sunday, the Kwara PDP Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara, said the party and its candidates would not accept charges it considered arbitrary, unlawful or unsupported by a valid legal instrument.

Adewara said the PDP recognised KWASAA's regulatory responsibilities, including the regulation of outdoor advertising structures, issuance of permits and control of posters and political signs.

He, however, questioned the legal and administrative basis for the new fees, asking who approved the charges, how they were determined and what services the agency would provide to justify the amounts.

"The existence of regulatory powers does not give public institutions an unlimited licence to impose arbitrary financial burdens on citizens and political candidates," Adewara said.

The PDP spokesman argued that the charges could undermine equal participation in the electoral process, particularly by making it difficult for opposition candidates and less financially endowed aspirants to effectively communicate with voters.

The party also cited provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 on political campaigns and media access, arguing that public institutions should not introduce measures capable of favouring or disadvantaging particular political parties or candidates.

Adewara warned that implementing the policy in its current form could make political communication accessible mainly to wealthy candidates and the ruling party.

The ADC similarly rejected the new charges, describing them as a financial barrier to political participation ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a separate statement, the party's Publicity Secretary, Kabir Basambo, described the N100 million presidential permit fee and other charges as "taxation of democracy."

"This is not regulation. This is taxation of democracy," Basambo said.

The ADC argued that the charges lacked sufficient legal justification and could make political visibility dependent on the financial strength of candidates.

According to the party, the policy could shut out credible aspirants with limited financial resources and turn elections into what it described as an "auction".

The ADC further accused KWASAA of potentially being used to suppress opposition voices, arguing that the agency's responsibility should be to regulate order and safety rather than create financial barriers to political participation.

Basambo said the party would explore lawful and democratic avenues, including legal action, if the charges were not withdrawn.

The ADC also called on Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to direct KWASAA to reverse the fees, insisting that political advertising regulations must be fair, lawful and inclusive.

The objections from the PDP and ADC come as political parties across Kwara intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, with campaign activities expected to increase ahead of the official electioneering period.

KWASAA had maintained that the new permit fees formed part of its regulatory framework for political advertising and would apply to candidates across the various elective positions.