The Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the newly introduced political campaign signage fees announced by the Abia State Structure for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ABSSAA), describing the policy as excessive, punitive and a threat to democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
ABSSAA had announced a permit fee of ₦200 million for presidential candidates seeking to display campaign billboards and other outdoor advertisements in the state, while governorship candidates are to pay ₦150 million. Senatorial candidates will pay ₦100 million, House of Representatives candidates ₦50 million, and State House of Assembly candidates ₦20 million.
In a statement signed by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Jude Udeachara, the PDP described the fee regime as an attempt to commercialise the democratic process and restrict opposition parties and less financially endowed candidates from participating effectively in the electoral process.
The party argued that the policy amounts to political intimidation disguised as administrative regulation, insisting that public advertising spaces should remain accessible to all candidates under fair and reasonable conditions.
The PDP also questioned the legality of the charges, citing the campaign expenditure limits stipulated in the Electoral Act 2026. It maintained that if similar fees were adopted across all states and the Federal Capital Territory, presidential candidates could be forced to spend a substantial portion of the legally permitted campaign budget on advertising permits alone.
According to the party, such a development would undermine fair political competition and contradict the spirit of the Electoral Act.
The opposition party further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to intervene by cautioning the Abia State Government against implementing policies capable of creating an uneven playing field ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Abia State Government has maintained that the policy is intended to regulate outdoor advertising, ensure compliance with established standards and create order within the state’s advertising space, insisting that the fee structure applies equally to all political parties and candidates regardless of political affiliation.
