Abia state government Fixes ₦200m, ₦150m Campaign Advertisement Fees for 2027 Elections

The Abia State Structure for Signage and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA) has announced a new schedule of campaign advertisement fees for political candidates seeking elective offices in the 2027 general elections.

Under the policy unveiled by the agency, presidential candidates will pay ₦200 million, while governorship candidates will pay ₦150 million to display campaign advertisements on approved outdoor advertising structures across Abia State.

The agency also fixed ₦100 million for senatorial candidates, ₦50 million for candidates contesting seats in the House of Representatives, and ₦20 million for those seeking election into the Abia State House of Assembly.

The new fee structure was announced during the 2026 ABSSAA Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum held in Aba.

Speaking at the event, ABSSAA’s Director of Strategy and Innovation, Ndubuisi Nwogwugwu, explained that the charges represent a one-time payment that will cover the entire campaign period through the conclusion of the 2027 general elections.

He added that the initiative was introduced to streamline political advertising across the state while ensuring compliance with approved signage and advertising regulations.

According to Nwogwugwu, House of Assembly candidates who may find it difficult to pay the full advertisement fee would be allowed to share campaign billboards with their party’s governorship candidate, thereby reducing campaign costs.

The agency further warned that campaign billboards erected without approval or those that fail to meet prescribed safety standards would be removed.

ABSSAA maintained that the policy would be implemented fairly and uniformly, stressing that no political party or candidate would receive preferential treatment.

Also speaking at the forum, the Director General of the Abia State Bureau of Strategic Communication, Onyebuchi Ememanka, dismissed suggestions that the fees were designed to frustrate opposition parties.

He insisted that the charges are administrative fees for outdoor advertising and would apply equally to all political parties and candidates participating in the elections.

However, the announcement has attracted criticism from opposition parties.

The Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abia State, Kalu Kalu, rejected the fee structure, arguing that the charges are inconsistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act relating to campaign finance and could undermine fair political competition.

He expressed concern that such high fees could disadvantage smaller political parties and candidates with limited financial resources.

The stakeholders’ engagement forum brought together representatives of political parties, advertising practitioners, government officials, and other stakeholders to discuss the implementation of the new policy ahead of the 2027 elections.