The Abia State Government has announced that presidential candidates of political parties intending to use billboards, posters and other outdoor advertising platforms during election campaigns will be required to pay N200 million for campaign advertising permits.
The Abia State Structures for Signages and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA) disclosed the fee structure on Wednesday in Aba during a stakeholders’ forum on political campaign advertising fees.
The forum, themed “Order in Outdoors: Partnership for Safe Campaigns, Sustainable Revenue and a Cleaner Abia”, brought together political parties, advertising practitioners and other stakeholders.
The Head of Strategy, Innovation and Design at ABSSAA, Mr Ndubuisi Nwaogwugwu, said the approved permit schedule applied to all political party candidates at various levels in the state and was based on existing laws regulating signage and advertising in Abia.
According to him, presidential candidates would pay N200 million, governorship candidates N150 million, senatorial candidates N100 million, House of Representatives candidates N50 million, and state Assembly candidates N20 million.
“The schedule of Political Campaign Advertising Permit Fees contained herein has been approved by the Government of Abia State and applies throughout the approved election campaign period,” Nwaogwugwu said.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Abia Strategic Communications Bureau, Onyebuchi Ememanka, said the permit charges were not subject to negotiation, stressing that the policy was aimed at protecting public spaces, improving road safety and maintaining the appearance of cities.
“It is about protecting lives on our roads, preserving the beauty of cities, and protecting the integrity of our democratic process,” Ememanka said.
He said Governor Alex Otti’s administration was committed to providing an enabling environment for political engagement through clear rules, transparent processes and equal access for all political parties.
The Director-General assured political parties that the government would not discriminate against any candidate, adding that all parties would have equal opportunities to use outdoor advertising platforms provided they complied with the guidelines and paid the required fees.
He said compliance by political parties would help create a more organised and responsible campaign environment ahead of future elections.
However, the President of the Out-of-Home Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), Dr Sola Akinsiku, expressed reservations over the approved fee structure.
Akinsiku, who was represented by OAAN Treasurer Mr Chinweuba Nwagu, said while the association supported proper regulation and fair partnerships, the proposed rates were unrealistic and could negatively affect political advertising.
He warned that excessive fees could limit voter education, increase voter apathy and weaken political participation.
The OAAN president called for further engagement among stakeholders and urged the state government to consider adjustments that would support the growth of outdoor advertising in Abia.
The Abia State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr Kalu Kalu, said the party would comply with the fees if they were supported by existing laws but argued that any provision inconsistent with the Constitution and the Electoral Act should be reviewed.
Kalu said previous Supreme Court decisions had recognised the role of local governments in collecting certain outdoor advertising fees, adding that any regulation requiring presidential candidates to pay billions of naira for outdoor advertising nationwide could face legal challenges.
The Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Investments and Public-Private Partnership, Chief Green Amankwe, said the administration remained committed to building a cleaner, safer and more investment-friendly Abia.
Amankwe, who represented the governor’s Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, said effective regulation was necessary for a functional outdoor advertising sector.
He urged stakeholders to ensure that political communication promoted peace, unity and responsible engagement throughout the election period.
