The Ekiti State Signage and Advertisement Agency (EKSAA) said on Wednesday that 12 political parties participating in the June 20 governorship election would pay a total of N600 million as the Campaign Signage and Advertisement fee before displaying posters anywhere in the state.

According to the agency, each political party is required to pay ₦5 million, and it vowed to begin enforcing approved fees and levies for the erection and display of both commercial and non-commercial signs and advertisements across the state.

The Director-General of the Agency, Mr. Adebisi Adesua, who disclosed this while speaking on an audience-participatory simulcast programme, Ekiti Today, explained that the enforcement would cover a wide range of signage, including billboards, streetlight poles, posters, and vehicle branding, in line with existing state laws.

According to Adesua, the move aims to curb illegal signage and promote orderliness. He noted that EKSAA was established to regulate outdoor advertising in the state, ensuring that signage is safe, visually appealing, and supportive of orderly urban development.

He, however, stated that the fee covers the entire campaign period across all local governments, wards, and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

Adesua emphasised that the fee structure is designed to promote fairness and proper regulation of political branding, noting that campaign signage is often the first point of contact between candidates and voters and must therefore be properly managed in public spaces.

Expressing satisfaction with the level of compliance so far, he said the All Progressives Congress (APC) and several other political parties have already met the requirement.

He assured residents and political stakeholders that EKSAA officials have been adequately trained to be fair, humane, and firm in carrying out their duties, and added that the agency remains committed to providing a level playing field for all political actors, in line with Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s assurances.

However, Adesua warned that failure to comply with signage regulations could result in the confiscation of campaign materials and possible prosecution.

While noting that the agency also contributes to state revenue, he clarified that EKSAA officials are not authorised to collect taxes, lock shops, or seal business premises. He added that improperly placed or unapproved signage may be removed and taken to the agency’s office, and that defaulters must pay double the original fee before retrieval.

He further cautioned against indiscriminate poster pasting, stressing that certain areas are designated as restricted zones. These include bridges, public schools, government buildings, and prominent locations such as the Fajuyi axis, which he described as the “eyes of the town”.

Advising individuals and organisations to seek proper approval and adhere to established guidelines to prevent traffic obstruction or damage to public infrastructure, Adesua noted that churches and mosques are exempt from payment for their signboards, while street naming and address signage fall under the jurisdiction of local governments.

He called on all stakeholders to support the agency’s efforts toward creating a serene environment and a visually pleasing landscape across Ekiti State. (The Guardian)