Abia to charge presidential candidates N200m for campaign billboard permit

The Abia State Government has introduced political campaign advertising permit fees that will require presidential candidates to pay N200 million before displaying campaign billboards and posters across the state.

The new rates, announced on Wednesday by the Head of the Abia State Structures for Signages and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA), Ndubuisi Nwaogwugwu, also stipulate fees of N150 million for governorship candidates, N100 million for senatorial candidates, N50 million for House of Representatives candidates and N20 million for candidates seeking election into the Abia State House of Assembly.

Nwaogwugwu unveiled the charges during a stakeholders’ forum on political campaign advertising fees held in Aba, saying the permit requirement would apply to all candidates contesting elective offices in the state.

He said the fees were approved by the state government and are backed by the laws establishing ABSSAA as well as existing regulations governing outdoor advertising in Abia.

“The schedule of political campaign advertising permit fees contained herein has been approved by the Government of Abia State and shall apply throughout the approved election campaign period,” he said.

The announcement, however, drew opposition from the Out-of-Home Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), which described the charges as excessive.

Speaking on behalf of the association, its treasurer, Chinweuba Nwagu, who represented OAAN President Sola Akinsiku, warned that the fees could discourage political advertising and negatively affect voter education and participation.

“We believe there should be more robust engagement, respect for superior viewpoints and a soft landing so as not to kill outdoor advertising in Abia,” Nwagu said.