Pay Before You Campaign? Anambra’s ₦50 Million Charge Sparks Outrage Ahead Of Elections

The Anambra State Government has announced that political parties and candidates intending to carry out outdoor campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections must obtain permits and pay designated fees before commencing their campaigns.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The announcement was made on Friday by the Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA), which revealed that presidential candidates will be required to pay ₦50 million for outdoor campaign permits, while senatorial candidates will pay ₦20 million.

Speaking during a press briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Awka, ANSAA’s Assistant General Manager, Chika Ngobili, said the briefing was aimed at educating political stakeholders on the guidelines governing outdoor advertising and visual campaign activities for the upcoming elections.

According to Ngobili, candidates seeking election into the House of Representatives will pay ₦5 million, while aspirants for the Anambra State House of Assembly will pay ₦1.5 million. Local government chairmanship candidates are expected to pay ₦2.5 million, while councillorship candidates will pay ₦100,000 before launching outdoor campaigns.

He explained that the permits cover the use of campaign materials and promotional activities such as posters, banners, flyers, branded vehicles, public address systems, campaign booths, rallies, T-shirts, caps, street campaigns, buntings, and other related materials displayed within approved locations across the state.

Ngobili noted that the guidelines were issued in line with existing regulations governing political campaign activities in Anambra State and in preparation for the eventual lifting of campaign restrictions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He further stated that ANSAA is empowered by law to issue permits and licences for signage and advertising activities, safeguard public infrastructure, maintain environmental aesthetics, and collect revenue on behalf of the state government.

According to him, the permit system is designed to promote orderliness, prevent visual pollution, ensure fairness in access to advertising spaces, maintain professional standards, and facilitate effective coordination of campaign-related outdoor activities across the state.

The agency also stressed that all campaign materials intended for public display must first receive approval from the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) before deployment.

ANSAA warned political parties, candidates, and their supporters against destroying, removing, or defacing opponents’ campaign materials, describing such acts as unlawful and inconsistent with democratic principles.

The agency reiterated that no individual, political party, candidate, or support group is permitted to erect billboards or advertising structures anywhere in Anambra State except through licensed advertising practitioners recognised by ARCON and authorised by ANSAA.

It also cautioned against indiscriminate poster placement on public buildings, bridges, flyovers, road signs, drainage systems, schools, hospitals, monuments, and other restricted locations.

Ngobili disclosed that ANSAA enforcement teams will monitor compliance throughout the campaign season and that violators of the guidelines will face sanctions under the laws of Anambra State.

He concluded by urging political actors and stakeholders to approach the electoral process peacefully and avoid treating elections as a do-or-die affair.