Abia State Introduces High Fees for Campaign Permits

The Abia State Government has introduced a new political campaign advertising permit regime that mandates candidates contesting for elective offices to pay significant fees for displaying campaign materials. Announced during a stakeholders’ forum in Aba, the fee schedule includes N200 million for presidential candidates, N150 million for governorship candidates, N100 million for senatorial candidates, N50 million for House of Representatives candidates, and N20 million for State House of Assembly candidates.

Ndubuisi Nwaogwugwu, Head of Department, Strategy, Innovation and Design at ABSSAA, stated that these fees are based on existing Abia State laws and will apply throughout the election campaign period. Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka, Director-General of the Abia State Strategic Communications Bureau, defended the regime as essential for orderly campaigns and public safety.

However, the Out-of-Home Advertising Association of Nigeria criticized the fees as unrealistic, indicating a strong opposition to the new policy.