ZAMFARA ADC DEMANDS REVIEW OF ‘EXORBITANT’ CAMPAIGN PERMIT FEES
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By ‘Balogun Ibrahim
The Zamfara State chapter of the African Democratic Congress has called on the state government to review what it described as exorbitant permit fees imposed on political campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The state ADC Chairman, Kabiru Garba, made the call in a statement issued in Gusau on Saturday.
Garba said the party had taken note of a September 25 letter issued by the Zamfara Urban and Regional Planning Board containing approved guidelines and permit fees for political campaign activities in the state.
He acknowledged the government’s responsibility to regulate the use of public spaces, protect public infrastructure, maintain environmental sanitation, manage traffic and ensure that political activities are conducted peacefully and orderly.
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However, the ADC chairman said the party was concerned about the scale and nature of the permit charges, particularly where they could create financial barriers to lawful political participation.
“The ADC therefore respectfully appeals to the Zamfara Government to consider our call for immediate review of the campaign permit fees in order to ensure justice and fairness,” Garba said.
He called for transparency in the process, as well as consultation with political parties and other relevant stakeholders.
Garba also noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission had released the official framework for the 2027 electoral process, including guidelines governing political party activities and campaigns.
According to him, INEC’s regulations cover issues relating to the procedure, audience, timing, venue and conduct of political campaigns.
He stressed that political parties remained essential to democracy by providing platforms for citizens to organise, present candidates, communicate policies and seek the people’s mandate.
The ADC chairman acknowledged the need for authorities to regulate campaign activities, including posters and billboards, rallies, processions, road shows, use of public spaces, traffic management, environmental protection and the protection of public infrastructure.
He, however, maintained that such regulations must be lawful, proportionate, transparent, affordable and applied equally to all political parties and candidates.
“We therefore call on the authorities concerned to review the fees with a view to establishing reasonable, proportionate and affordable charges where legitimate regulation is required,” he added.
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