Ajayi assured Nigerians that all results from the Osun State governorship election would be uploaded to the IReV portal, adding that the commission would improve its performance in transmitting results.

“All the results will go on IReV, I can assure you of that. What is going to be different is that we are going to perform better. That is immediately the results are ready, they will capture them and send them to the IReV through the same BVAS.

“The IReV is a viewing centre. There’s a misinformation when it comes to the function of the IReV. The IReV is not an adding machine. It’s not an adding system because some people are expecting that immediately results are coming in, they’ll be adding like that; at the end of the day, there will be a gross trader,” Ajayi said.

He said individuals, groups and institutions could independently collate the results displayed on IReV by adding the figures from polling units.

“But what is important is that the results transmitted to the IReV, are they different from what came up from the PU?” he asked.

According to the commissioner, the approved fees were designed to regulate political advertising across the state, ensure compliance with existing signage regulations, and generate revenue for the development of Kogi State.

The state government also pegged the fees for senatorial candidates at N50 million while those for the House of Representatives will pay N30 million, State House of Assembly at N5 million.

Fanwo further disclosed that for the local government elections, chairmanship candidates will pay N2 million, while those for councillorship will pay N300,000.

However, the State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has rejected the newly announced campaign signage and promotional-material fees, describing the policy as excessive, disproportionate and undemocratic in its present form.

In a statement issued by the State Chairman, Mohammed Gambo, the PDP said that while it recognises the legitimate responsibility of government to regulate outdoor advertising and maintain order in public spaces, such regulation must be reasonable, affordable and consistent with the constitutional rights of political parties, candidates and citizens to participate freely in the democratic process.

According to Gambo, the charges are excessive and disproportionate, arguing that the ₦50 million signage fee for a senatorial candidate alone represents 10 per cent of the candidate’s statutory spending ceiling of N500 million under Section 92(4) of the Electoral Act 2026.

He said such expenditure would come before spending on rallies, media, transportation, campaign offices, logistics and other legitimate campaign activities.

“Elections are contests of ideas, service, and the will of the people. Government regulation must never become a financial barrier capable of determining who can effectively communicate with the electorate,” Gambo said.

The former PDP spokesman said his decision to join the APC was influenced largely by what he described as the achievements of Governor Ahmed Aliyu across various sectors of the state.

He cited developments in Islamic religious affairs, healthcare, education, water supply, as well as rural and urban renewal, as areas in which he believed the administration had made significant progress.

Kakaki also praised the governor for prioritising security.

“Senator Wamakko has continued to provide valuable guidance and leadership to the party and the administration. His support has contributed greatly to the stability of the APC in Sokoto State,” he said.

Welcoming Kakaki into the party, Sarkin-Gobir Adiya described his defection as a homecoming.

The chairman said the APC remained open to members of opposition parties, particularly the PDP and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who were willing to support its programmes and development agenda.

“APC is the largest party in Africa, the biggest and ruling party in Sokoto State and Nigeria, and we cheerfully welcome anybody who wants to come on board,” he said.

Sarkin-Gobir Adiya also assured the new member that his political experience and public profile would be recognised within the party.

He said Kakaki and other new members would be given equal opportunities alongside those who had been in the APC for a longer period.

“We will treat you and other people who may join the APC in due course as one because in APC, we are just and fair to all,” he said.