The Abia State Government has introduced a new political campaign advertising permit regime that will require candidates contesting elective offices to pay millions of naira before displaying billboards, posters and other outdoor campaign materials across the state.
The new fee schedule, unveiled during a stakeholders’ forum in Aba, has sparked controversy, with government officials defending the charges as necessary for proper regulation, while political parties and industry stakeholders argue that the costs are excessive and could discourage political participation.
The permit rates were announced at a Stakeholders Forum on Political Campaign Advertising Fees organised by the Abia State Structures for Signages and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA), bringing together government officials, advertising practitioners and political stakeholders.
Government unveils campaign permit fees
Addressing participants at the forum, themed “Order in Outdoors: Partnership for Safe Campaigns, Sustainable Revenue and A Cleaner Abia,” the Head of Department, Strategy, Innovation and Design at ABSSAA, Ndubuisi Nwaogwugwu, outlined the approved charges for candidates seeking to advertise their campaigns across the state.
According to him, presidential candidates will pay N200 million for campaign advertising permits, while governorship candidates will pay N150 million.
He added that senatorial candidates would be required to pay N100 million, House of Representatives candidates N50 million, while candidates contesting seats in the State House of Assembly would pay N20 million.
Nwaogwugwu explained that the permit fees were derived from existing Abia State laws regulating outdoor advertising and signage and would remain in force throughout the officially approved election campaign period.
He stated that the fee schedule had received the approval of the state government and would apply equally to all political parties and candidates.
Officials defend new policy
The Director-General of the Abia State Strategic Communications Bureau, Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka, defended the government’s decision, describing the permit regime as an important step toward ensuring orderly political campaigns and safer public spaces.
According to him, the objective of the policy extends beyond revenue generation, stressing that it is intended to protect lives, improve road safety and preserve the environmental aesthetics of cities across Abia State.
Ememanka assured political parties that Governor Alex Otti’s administration would not discriminate against any candidate or political party in implementing the policy.
He maintained that every political party would enjoy equal access to outdoor advertising opportunities provided they complied with the approved guidelines and paid the required permit fees.
He added that the government expected the new framework to encourage peaceful campaigns and establish higher standards for political advertising in the state.
Advertising practitioners reject charges
The new permit fees, however, received strong opposition from the Out-of-Home Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), which described the charges as unrealistic.
Speaking on behalf of OAAN President, Dr Sola Akinsiku, the association’s Treasurer, Chinweuba Nwagu, said the proposed rates did not reflect the prevailing economic realities in the country.
He warned that the high charges could significantly reduce political advertising activities, limit voter access to campaign information and contribute to voter apathy during the election period.
Nwagu urged the Abia State Government to engage further with stakeholders and review the fee structure to arrive at a more balanced arrangement that would protect both public interests and the outdoor advertising industry.
Political parties question legality
Political parties also expressed reservations over the legal basis for the charges.
The Abia State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kalu Kalu, said his party would only comply if the fee schedule was supported by existing laws.
He argued that Supreme Court judgments had recognised local governments as the appropriate authorities responsible for collecting outdoor advertising-related fees.
Kalu further contended that any regulation compelling presidential candidates to spend billions of naira on billboard permits across the country could conflict with provisions of the Electoral Act and the Constitution.
He therefore called for a review of the policy if it was found to be inconsistent with existing electoral laws.
Government seeks orderly campaigns
Also speaking at the forum, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Investments and Public-Private Partnership, Chief Green Amankwe, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to building a cleaner, safer and more investor-friendly Abia State.
Representing the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Amankwe said effective regulation of outdoor advertising remained critical to promoting public safety and responsible political communication.
He urged political parties, advertisers and other stakeholders to work together in ensuring peaceful campaigns, compliance with regulations and responsible engagement throughout the election period.