The Abia State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ABSSAA) has unveiled a new permit fee structure for political campaign advertisements ahead of the 2027 general elections, requiring presidential candidates to pay ₦200 million to erect campaign billboards and other outdoor promotional materials across the state.
The new policy was announced during the agency’s 2026 Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum held in Aba.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Strategy and Innovation, Mr. Ndubuisi Nwogwugwu, said the initiative is aimed at regulating political advertising, ensuring compliance with outdoor advertising standards, and maintaining order in the state’s advertising space.
Under the approved fee regime, governorship candidates will pay ₦150 million, senatorial candidates ₦100 million, House of Representatives candidates ₦50 million, while candidates contesting seats in the Abia State House of Assembly will pay ₦20 million for campaign advertising permits.
The agency stated that the permit covers the erection of campaign billboards and other outdoor publicity materials throughout the election period.
ABSSAA warned that campaign structures erected without approval or those that fail to meet prescribed safety and regulatory standards would be removed, adding that approvals could also be revoked for violations of the guidelines.
To reduce campaign costs, the agency disclosed that House of Assembly candidates may participate in joint campaign billboards with their party’s governorship candidate instead of erecting separate structures.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Abia State Bureau of Strategic Communication, Mr. Onyebuchi Ememanka, dismissed claims that the policy was designed to target opposition parties, stressing that the regulations apply equally to all political parties and candidates irrespective of political affiliation.
He maintained that the government remains committed to ensuring a level playing field for all contestants ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, the policy drew criticism from opposition parties, with the Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abia State, Mr. Kalu Kalu, questioning the legality of the fees.
He argued that the charges could impose a significant financial burden on political parties, particularly smaller parties, and expressed concerns that the policy may undermine fair political competition.
The introduction of the new fee structure comes as political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, with stakeholders expected to engage further on its implementation.
