The Abia State government has mandated that presidential candidates pay a N200 million permit fee to display campaign posters and billboards. This announcement came from the Abia State Structures for Signages and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA) during a stakeholder meeting in Aba focused on campaign advertising regulations.
According to Mr. Ndubuisi Nwaogwugwu of ABSSAA, the fee structure extends to other offices as well: gubernatorial candidates are charged N150 million, senatorial candidates N100 million, while House of Representatives and State Assembly hopefuls must pay N50 million and N20 million, respectively. These rates are mandatory and apply throughout the official campaign season.
Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka, representing the state, defended the policy as a means to maintain public safety, city aesthetics, and democratic integrity. He stated that the government remains neutral and seeks to create an orderly environment for all parties, provided they adhere to regulations and settle the required payments.
The announcement faced pushback from the Out-of-Home Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN). President Sola Akinsiku argued that these costs are unsustainable and could lead to reduced voter awareness and political apathy. Political figures like Kalu Kalu of the African Democratic Congress also questioned the legality of the fees, citing Supreme Court rulings that suggest local governments, rather than state agencies, should oversee such collections. Despite these objections, the Abia State administration maintains that these regulations are essential for a cleaner, more organized campaign period.
