The Abia State Government has announced a new political campaign advertising permit regime, requiring every presidential candidate seeking to advertise through billboards and posters in the state to pay a permit fee of N200 million.
The announcement was made on Wednesday during the “Stakeholders Forum on Political Campaign Advertising Fees” organised by the Abia State Structures for Signages and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA) in Aba.
The forum, themed “Order in Outdoors: Partnership for Safe Campaigns, Sustainable Revenue and a Cleaner Abia,” brought together government officials, political parties and advertising industry stakeholders to discuss regulations guiding outdoor political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Permit Fees for Political Candidates
Speaking at the forum, the Head of Department, Strategy, Innovation and Design at ABSSAA, Ndubuisi Nwaogwugwu, said the approved permit fees apply to candidates contesting at all levels.
According to him:
- Presidential candidates – N200 million
- Governorship candidates – N150 million
- Senatorial candidates – N100 million
- House of Representatives candidates – N50 million
- State House of Assembly candidates – N20 million
Nwaogwugwu explained that the fees were approved by the Abia State Government and are backed by existing state laws regulating outdoor advertising and signage.
Government Defends New Charges
The Director General of the Abia State Strategic Communications Bureau, Onyebuchi Ememanka, described the permit schedule as non-negotiable, insisting it is designed to regulate outdoor advertising, protect public safety and maintain the aesthetic beauty of the state.
He said Governor Alex Otti’s administration would provide equal access to all political parties, stressing that no candidate would receive preferential treatment.
According to him, every political party that complies with the established guidelines and pays the required fees will be allowed to use outdoor advertising spaces throughout the campaign period.
OAAN Rejects Proposed Rates
The Out-of-Home Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) expressed concern over the new permit charges, describing them as excessive and potentially harmful to political communication.
Speaking through the association’s Treasurer, Chinweuba Nwagu, OAAN President Dr. Sola Akinsiku said the proposed rates could discourage political advertising, reduce voter awareness and negatively affect democratic participation.
The association called for further dialogue with the state government to arrive at a more realistic and sustainable pricing structure.
ADC Questions Legal Basis
Also speaking at the forum, the Abia State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kalu Kalu, questioned the legal foundation of the permit fees.
He argued that Supreme Court judgments had vested the responsibility for collecting outdoor advertising levies in local governments, adding that any policy inconsistent with the Electoral Act or the Constitution could face legal challenges.
According to Kalu, requiring presidential candidates to pay similar fees across all 36 states would result in billions of naira in campaign advertising costs, raising concerns about affordability and legality.
Otti Administration Backs Regulation
Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Investments and Public-Private Partnership, Green Amankwe, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to creating a cleaner, safer and investment-friendly Abia.
He said effective regulation of outdoor advertising is essential to maintaining order while encouraging responsible political communication during the election season.
Stakeholders were also urged to ensure that campaign advertisements promote peace, unity and issue-based engagement throughout the electoral process.
