Umuahia, Abia State — The Abia State chapters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have criticised the newly announced campaign advertisement permit fees introduced by the Abia State Structure for Signage and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA), urging the state government to reconsider the policy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
ABSSAA recently unveiled a new schedule of permit fees for political campaign advertisements across the state. Under the new rates, presidential campaign advertising is pegged at N200 million, while governorship campaigns will attract N150 million. The agency also fixed N100 million for senatorial campaigns, N50 million for House of Representatives candidates and N20 million for candidates contesting seats in the Abia State House of Assembly.
APC Describes Fees as Excessive
Reacting to the development, the Abia APC expressed concern over the cost of the new permit regime, arguing that the charges could make political participation more difficult for opposition parties and candidates with limited financial resources.
In a statement issued by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru, the APC alleged that the fees could discourage wider participation in the electoral process and place an additional financial burden on political parties preparing for the 2027 elections.
The party also argued that the policy is inconsistent with the campaign spending provisions contained in the Electoral Act, maintaining that electoral regulations should encourage broad participation rather than create financial obstacles.
“The policy is a calculated attempt to commercialise democracy and reduce political participation. It will make the 2027 contest an exclusive preserve of the wealthy and those with access to state resources,” the statement said.
PDP Also Rejects Policy
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also faulted the new permit fees, describing them as excessive and calling on the state government to withdraw the policy.
In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Jude Udeachara, the party argued that the charges could limit political competition and make it more difficult for opposition parties to campaign effectively.
The PDP maintained that regulations relating to political campaigns should promote fairness and equal opportunities for all contestants, regardless of party affiliation.
“This is not a regulation; it is political extortion dressed in administrative language,” the party stated.
Debate Over Electoral Participation
The announcement has continued to attract public attention, with political stakeholders expressing differing views on its potential impact ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While critics argue that the permit fees could discourage participation by smaller political parties and independent candidates, supporters of stricter advertising regulations have previously maintained that outdoor campaign activities should be properly managed and regulated.
As of the time of filing this report, the Abia State Government and the Abia State Structure for Signage and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA) had not publicly responded to the concerns raised by the APC and PDP over the new campaign advertisement permit fees.
The issue is expected to remain part of broader discussions on election preparations and campaign regulations as political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 polls.
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