Abia State has fixed a N200 million permit fee for presidential candidates seeking to erect campaign billboards ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Abia State Structure for Signage and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA) announced the new rates on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ engagement forum in Aba. The fee applies to outdoor promotional materials for contenders including President Bola Tinubu, Labour Party’s Peter Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Under the schedule, governorship candidates will pay N150 million, senatorial candidates N100 million, House of Representatives aspirants N50 million, and State House of Assembly candidates N20 million.
Ndubuisi Nwogwugwu, ABSSAA’s Director of Strategy and Innovation, said the charges aim to regulate political advertising and enforce standards.
“The agency will not hesitate to revoke approvals or remove structures that violate laid down regulations,” he said.
Onyebuchi Ememanka, Director General of the Abia State Bureau of Strategic Communication, rejected claims that the policy targets opposition parties.
“The campaign fees were not designed to stifle Abia opposition voices and visibility,” he stated, adding that the rules apply equally to all parties.
Opposition figures criticised the fees. African Democratic Congress (ADC) state chairman Kalu Kalu argued they impose an excessive burden, especially on smaller parties, and may conflict with the Electoral Act.
The agency said State Assembly candidates unable to meet the fee may share joint billboards with their party’s governorship candidate. Unauthorised structures will be removed.
