KWASAA, ARCON Warn Political Parties Against Unauthorised Campaign Billboards, Jingles Ahead of 2027

Kwara State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KWASAA) and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) have warned political parties, candidates and other political actors against exposing campaign billboards, posters, jingles and other political advertisements without the required approvals ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The agencies gave the warning in Ilorin on Tuesday, stressing the need for political advertisers to comply with existing regulations governing outdoor advertising and political communication.

Speaking with journalists, KWASAA General Manager, Mr. Toba Adeyeye, said the agency would not hesitate to remove offensive or unauthorised billboards and posters and prosecute individuals or organisations found violating the law as political activities intensify ahead of the elections.

Adeyeye said obtaining approval from the relevant regulatory authorities was necessary to maintain order and sanity in the advertising industry, particularly with the expected increase in campaign materials as the 2027 elections draw closer.

He explained that KWASAA's responsibility goes beyond revenue generation, noting that the agency also has a duty to protect public safety, preserve the aesthetic value of the environment and ensure compliance with relevant laws.

The KWASAA boss expressed concern over the possible proliferation of unauthorised political advertisements and urged political parties, candidates, advertising practitioners and other stakeholders to operate within the established regulatory framework.

According to him, the agency is strengthening its regulatory activities ahead of the 2027 general elections and plans to hold a stakeholders' engagement to promote a clear understanding of the rules guiding political campaigns and the use of public spaces for advertising.

He added that the engagement would provide stakeholders with clearer information on the requirements for permits, billboards, signages and other forms of political communication.

Also speaking, the ARCON Zonal Coordinator, Ilorin Office, Mr. Abdurasaq Yusuf, reminded political parties and candidates that political advertisements must be vetted and approved before being exposed to members of the public.

Yusuf explained that ARCON is responsible for regulating the content of advertisements to ensure that political messages are legal, honest and truthful.

He noted that while approval may be required for the location where an advertisement would be displayed, ARCON is responsible for examining and approving the content of the advertisement.

The ARCON official warned political advertisers against making misleading claims or presenting unjustified portrayals of candidates in campaign materials.

He disclosed that ARCON has introduced accelerated vetting options of four, eight and sixteen hours, in addition to its normal approval process, to enable advertisers obtain clearance within a shorter period.

Yusuf therefore urged political parties, candidates and political advertisers to obtain all necessary approvals before displaying or broadcasting campaign materials, warning that compliance would be strictly enforced as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.

The development comes as political activities gradually intensify across Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections, with regulatory authorities moving to prevent the indiscriminate use of public spaces and the circulation of misleading political advertisements.