The Ondo State Government has announced that political aspirants must obtain permits and pay specified fees before displaying any campaign materials ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to the State Signage and Advertisement Agency, senatorial candidates are required to pay ₦2 million, House of Representatives aspirants ₦1.5 million, and House of Assembly candidates ₦1 million for campaign permits.

Yomi Oyekan, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Signage and Advertisement, said the agency will strictly monitor compliance. “All stakeholders are hereby warned to comply fully. This directive is final and non-negotiable,” he stated.

The agency also noted that full building branding—including wall wraps, façade branding, and total building takeovers—must undergo compulsory evaluation, inspection, and written approval before deployment. Unauthorised branding will not be tolerated.

The announcement has drawn criticism from some quarters, with opponents describing the fees as exorbitant and tantamount to extortion.

Public affairs analyst Kayode Adubiaro argued that the high costs could exclude credible candidates without substantial financial resources from participating in the elections.

Adubiaro noted that aspirants already face significant financial demands from their political parties and may struggle to cover the additional agency fees.

He described the amounts as unreasonable, saying they could disproportionately favour candidates from wealthier parties while disadvantaging those in less financially endowed political platforms.

The State Government has not indicated any plans to review the fee structure, and it remains unclear how the directive will affect campaign preparations for smaller parties.

Observers say the policy highlights ongoing debates in Nigeria about the cost of political participation and its impact on inclusivity in the electoral process.