The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the new campaign fees introduced by the Abia State Signage and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA), describing the charges as excessive.
The agency recently announced outdoor campaign fees of N200 million for presidential candidates and N150 million for governorship candidates. It also set charges of N150 million, N50 million and N20 million for senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates respectively.
Reacting to the development on Wednesday, Abia State ADC Chairman, Kalu Kalu, who attended the unveiling of the new campaign regime, questioned the justification for the fees.
Kalu, who was accompanied by the ADC House of Assembly candidate for Arochukwu Constituency, Francess Ogbonnaya Tabitha, raised concerns that the charges could violate provisions of the Electoral Act regarding campaign spending limits.
He argued that the fees could put opposition candidates at a disadvantage and undermine fairness ahead of the 2027 general elections in Abia State.
“Has it not exceeded the election expenses that are provided by the Electoral Act?” Kalu questioned.
The ADC chairman urged ABSSAA to review the charges and introduce a more affordable structure, stressing that the agency should avoid policies that conflict with electoral laws.
However, while announcing the new fees in Aba on Wednesday, ABSSAA stated that its advertising policy applies equally to all political parties and candidates, insisting that no group was being treated unfairly.
BACKSTORY:
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised objections to the new campaign signage fees introduced by the Abia State Signage and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The agency recently announced a new outdoor campaign fee structure, placing charges of N200 million for presidential candidates and N150 million for governorship candidates. Other candidates, including senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly aspirants, were also assigned fees ranging from N20 million to N150 million.
The development sparked criticism from the Abia State chapter of the ADC, with the party’s chairman, Kalu Kalu, arguing that the charges were too high and could conflict with the campaign spending limits provided under the Electoral Act.
The party warned that the fees could disadvantage opposition candidates and affect fairness in the electoral process by making campaign visibility difficult for parties with limited resources.
ADC urged ABSSAA to reconsider the charges and adopt a more affordable structure that would allow all political parties and candidates to participate fairly.
However, the agency defended its policy, stating that the new advertising fees apply equally to all political parties and candidates and that no group is being discriminated against.
