By Toyin Victor, ABUJA
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has questioned campaign billboard permit fees reaching ₦200 million in some states and raised concerns over 27 election-related deaths, warning that the developments could undermine fair political competition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Co-Convener of the coalition, Celestine Odo, raised the concerns on Thursday, November 5, 2026, in Abuja, while presenting the group’s assessment of Nigeria’s political environment ahead of the polls.
The Situation Room said presidential campaign billboard fees reportedly stand at ₦200 million in Abia, ₦150 million in Enugu, Kogi and Cross River, ₦75 million in Rivers, ₦50 million in Anambra and ₦40 million in Benue. It warned that the charges could make political visibility difficult for candidates with limited financial resources.
On election security, the group cited 70 physical election-related incidents recorded across 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory between January and October 27, 2026, resulting in 27 deaths. Campaign rallies, party offices and political activities were identified as major targets of attacks.
It also raised concerns over party leadership disputes, contentious primaries, defections and alleged restrictions on opposition activities, warning that political intimidation and exclusionary practices could narrow voters’ choices ahead of the elections.
On electoral transparency, the coalition urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to clarify how electronic transmission failures under the Electoral Act 2026 would be handled, particularly the reconciliation of physical result forms with electronic records to prevent manipulation during collation.
The Situation Room also called for rigorous Senate scrutiny of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s nominees to INEC, particularly concerns surrounding the reported family relationship between Professor Mustafa Ali, one of the nominees, and the Governor of Sokoto State.
The group further warned against the misuse of public funds, government vehicles and security agencies for partisan political interests, urging INEC, the EFCC, ICPC and the Nigeria Police Force to strengthen investigations into vote buying and illegal campaign financing.
It identified artificial intelligence, manipulated images, fabricated political statements and false election announcements as growing threats to electoral information, calling on media organisations, technology platforms and civil society groups to intensify efforts against disinformation.
The coalition also warned that insecurity, economic hardship and inaccessible polling units could discourage voter participation, particularly among women, young people and persons with disabilities. It urged INEC to strengthen voter education and remove barriers to inclusive participation.
As part of its demands, the Situation Room wants INEC to publish regular updates on its preparedness, explain recent internal redeployments, clarify reports of additional polling units and strengthen safeguards for transparent results management.
It also urged the National Assembly to ensure transparent confirmation of INEC nominees, political parties to uphold internal democracy, security agencies to protect all political actors without discrimination and the judiciary to resolve electoral disputes within the prescribed timelines.
The Situation Room maintained that the credibility of the 2027 general elections would depend on more than the conduct of voting, insisting that fair political competition, independent electoral institutions, protection of citizens’ rights and transparent results management must be guaranteed before, during and after the polls.