The Abia State Government has announced that every political party’s presidential candidate planning to campaign with billboards and posters must pay N200 million for a campaign advertising permit.
The Abia State Structures for Signages and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA) made this known on Wednesday in Aba during a stakeholders’ forum on political campaign advertising fees.
ABSSAA Head of Strategy, Innovation and Design, Ndubuisi Nwaogwugwu, said the approved permit fees cover all political party candidates in Abia and follow existing state laws on signage and advertising.
“Presidential candidates will pay N200 million, Governorship candidates will pay N150 million, Senatorial candidates will pay N100 million, House of Representatives and Assembly candidates will pay N50 million and N20 million respectively,” said Mr Nwaogwugwu.
He added that the approved ‘Political Campaign Advertising Permit Fees’ would apply “throughout the approved election campaign period”.
Director-General of the Strategic Communications Bureau, Onyebuchi Ememanka, described the fee schedule as non-negotiable, saying, “It is about protecting lives on our roads, preserving the beauty of cities, and protecting the integrity of our democratic process. Dr Alex Otti’s leadership is determined to provide an enabling environment for political engagement with clear rules, transparent processes and equal access. Please note this, for the avoidance of doubt – the Abia Government will not discriminate against any political party or any candidate.”
He said every candidate would enjoy equal access to outdoor advertising if they followed the rules and paid the required fees.
OAAN President Sola Akinsiku said the association had concerns about the fee schedule. While backing fairness and partnership, he argued the charges were unsustainable and could reduce political advertising, weaken voter education, increase voter apathy and disenfranchise many people.
