The governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Doris Ogala, has intensified her criticism of the Abia State Government’s newly introduced campaign billboard permit fee, declaring that she will not pay the ₦150 million demanded from governorship candidates.
Speaking in a video circulating on social media, Ogala described the fee as unrealistic and insensitive, accusing the state government of placing financial burdens on politicians while many residents continue to struggle with economic hardship.
She said it was unfair to expect candidates to pay such an amount at a time when, according to her, workers are owed salaries and patients are dying in hospitals.
“People are dying in the hospital. Workers are crying. Their salaries have not been paid. And you’re imposing ₦150 million on a candidate. Where will I get the money from?” she said.
The governorship hopeful questioned whether only politicians with wealthy backers or those who had benefited from public funds could afford to contest elections under such conditions.
“Do I have a godfather who has stolen government funds? I should pay ₦150 million?” she asked.
Ogala also issued a direct warning to anyone attempting to remove her campaign billboards, insisting that she would resist any such move.
“I dare anybody to try and touch my billboard,” she declared.
She further suggested that if the government insists on enforcing the fee, political parties should consider campaigning without billboards across the state.
“All of us will campaign without billboards in this state,” she added.
Watch the video below;
The Abia State Government recently announced new campaign billboard permit fees for political parties and candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, fixing the charge for governorship candidates at ₦150 million.
The policy has created widespread criticism from opposition parties and political stakeholders, who argue that the fees could discourage participation in the electoral process and give an unfair advantage to wealthy candidates. The state government, however, maintains that the charges are permit fees aimed at regulating outdoor political advertising rather than restricting political activities.
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