The All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign council in Kogi State has stated its intentions to pay the assigned fees to place billboards and other outdoor campaign materials in the state.
The Chairman of the council, Governor Yahaya Bello stated this in a press statement through the council’s Director of Media and Publicity, Kingsley Fanwo.
The council commended the State House of Assembly for ensuring the passage of the Bill into Law.
“As a Campaign Council, we commend the State House of Assembly for passing the Bill into Law to ensure improved IGR and environmental sanity. All our Zonal and Local Chapters of the Campaign Council are enjoined to strictly adhere to the Law.
“The Chairman of the Kogi State APC Campaign Council, His Excellency Alh Yahaya Bello has also reiterated the readiness of the party to win elections at all levels in the state, even as he intensifies efforts at rallying Nigerian youth behind Tinubu/Shettima as the National Youth Coordinator of the Presidential Campaigns.
“The Chairman expressed optimism that his track record in the state would deliver massively for the party, also calling on Nigerians to keep faith with Tinubu. According to him, “Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu has all it takes to fix the economy of the country and take it forward into prosperity”.
“The Campaign Council also wishes to call on all party faithful to conduct the election in the most peaceful manner. Our products are the best for Nigeria and our various constituencies. All we want to promote are the qualities they possess and the hope they promise,” he said.
Meanwhile, recall that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not take lightly, the demand to pay 37.5 Million as payment for billboards and campaign posters in the state.
In a letter dated October 24, 2022, and issued by the Kogi State Internal Revenue to political parties, senatorial candidates are to pay N6 million, while House of Representatives candidates are to pay N9 million. Similarly, those wishing to contest for the state House of Assembly are to pay N12.5 million.
“Pursuant to the provisions of the Kogi State Signage and Advancement Law (KOSSAL), 2022, and other extant laws, we present in the table below (photo attached) the obligations of your party (PDP) to Kogi State Government on signage fee in respect of campaign posters and flyers of your candidates contesting various elective offices in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
“Consequently, we hereby demand the payment of N37, 500, 000 within fourteen (14) days of the receipt of this letter,” the letter read.
In similar development, the PDP was mandated to provide evidence of its Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) to be able to campaign in the State.
Reacting to the development, the PDP candidate for Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Yahaya Bello of devising different ploys to frustrate her campaign following her growing popularity in the State.
“They (Yahaya Bello-led government) want to stop us from campaigning. Without tax clearance, no PDP candidate will campaign. It’s a ploy to frustrate my campaign in Kogi,” she told newsmen on Tuesday.
