Assembly aspirant rejects ‘anti-people’ levy, says election is won with votes, not painted metal structures
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Ogugu State Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly, Michael Idoko, has vehemently rejected the state government’s N5 million campaign signage fee, describing it as a “morally indefensible” tax on democracy.
In a fiery statement issued Thursday in Abuja, Idoko tore into the policy, questioning how a government could demand such exorbitant fees from assembly candidates while ordinary citizens struggle to afford food, medication, and transportation.
What the Levy Entails
The Kogi State Government had earlier approved a controversial fee structure requiring:
· N150 million for presidential candidates
· N50 million for senatorial candidates
· N30 million for House of Representatives candidates
· N5 million for State House of Assembly candidates
The charges, announced by Commissioner for Information Kingsley Fanwo, cover billboards, posters, branded T-shirts, caps, and other promotional materials ahead of the 2027 general elections and October 2026 local government polls.
Idoko’s Blistering Response
“What makes a commercial billboard different from a political billboard? How exactly does a billboard win votes?” Idoko queried, dismissing the levy as anti-democratic and anti-people.
He argued that elections are won through grassroots mobilization, credibility, service, and public trust—not the number of metal structures erected across the state.
“History has repeatedly shown that many candidates have won elections without erecting a single billboard. Votes come from the hearts of the people, not from painted metal structures,” he declared.
‘With N5m, I Can Change Lives’
In a powerful rebuke, Idoko detailed how the N5 million could be better spent:
· Paying school fees for indigent students
· Supporting widows
· Empowering struggling youths through small businesses
· Providing medical assistance for vulnerable families
· Improving community welfare in Ogugu
“Asking candidates to spend such money on billboards while many citizens cannot afford food, medication and transportation is morally indefensible,” he said.
Democracy Under Threat?
Idoko warned that the charges could discourage young aspirants, women, and grassroots politicians from seeking elective office, stressing that democracy would suffer if access to public office becomes determined by financial capacity alone.
He challenged the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to explain how the levies align with its claims of running a people-oriented administration.
Grassroots Over Billboards
Reaffirming his commitment to a grassroots campaign, Idoko insisted that direct engagement with voters across Ogugu State Constituency—not billboards—would remain his major campaign asset.
