The Zamfara chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the state government to review what it described as exorbitant political campaign permit fees. In a statement issued in Gusau on Saturday, the state ADC Chairman, Kabiru Garba, stated that the fees could create an unnecessary financial barrier to lawful political participation and democratic engagement. The ADC leadership received a letter from the Zamfara Urban and Regional Planning Board (ZUREPB) on September 25, containing the approved rules and permit fees for political campaign activities in Zamfara for the 2027 general elections.
The ADC recognises the legitimate responsibility of government 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. However, the party is seriously concerned about the scale and nature of the stated permit fees. According to Garba, such charges could hinder the ability of political parties to participate in the electoral process. The ADC leadership has therefore urged the authorities to review the fees to ensure justice and fairness.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had issued the official framework for the 2027 electoral process, including provisions governing political party activities and campaigns. The INEC’s current regulations also contain specific provisions on the procedure, audience, period, venue and conduct of political campaigns. This framework aims to ensure that political parties operate within established guidelines. The ADC acknowledges the need for regulation but emphasises that such regulation should be lawful, proportionate, transparent, affordable and applied equally to all political parties and candidates.
The ADC chairman noted that political parties are essential institutions of democracy, providing platforms through which citizens organise, present candidates, communicate policies and seek the mandate of the people. He stressed that the right to participate in the electoral process is fundamental to democratic engagement. The party therefore respectfully appeals to the Zamfara Government to consider its call for an immediate review of the campaign permit fees. This, Garba argues, will ensure that the fees do not become a barrier to political participation.
The Zamfara chapter of the ADC is not alone in its concerns, as many stakeholders have expressed worries about the potential impact of high campaign permit fees on the electoral process. The party has called for an immediate review of the process by the authorities to ensure transparency. The ADC leadership believes that a review of the fees will help to establish reasonable, proportionate and affordable charges where legitimate regulation is required.
In its statement, the ADC urged the authorities concerned to review the fees with a view to establishing reasonable, proportionate and affordable charges. The party also emphasised the need for consultation with political parties and other stakeholders. The ADC chairman concluded by reiterating the party’s commitment to democratic engagement and its desire to ensure that the electoral process is fair and accessible to all.
The issue of high campaign permit fees in Zamfara has sparked a debate about the regulation of political activities in the state. While the government has a legitimate responsibility to regulate public spaces and ensure orderly conduct of political activities, stakeholders must balance this with the need to ensure that political parties can participate freely in the electoral process. The ADC’s call for a review of the fees is a timely reminder of the importance of ensuring that regulations do not become a barrier to democratic engagement.
Key points
- The ADC has called for a review of the campaign permit fees to ensure justice and fairness.
- The party believes that the fees could create an unnecessary financial barrier to lawful political participation and democratic engagement.
- The ADC recognises the legitimate responsibility of government to regulate public spaces and ensure orderly conduct of political activities.
