APC Governorship Candidate Eric Opah Rejects Abia Campaign Advertisement Fees

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Eric Opah, has condemned the campaign advertisement fees introduced by the Abia State Structure for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ABSSAA), describing the policy as unfair and capable of undermining democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement released on Thursday, Opah criticised the charges imposed on political candidates, arguing that the fees would place an unnecessary financial burden on contestants and could discourage healthy political competition.

Under the fee schedule announced by ABSSAA, governorship candidates are required to pay ₦150 million to display campaign posters, billboards, and banners across approved advertising locations in the state.

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

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Reacting to the development, Opah described the policy as an attempt to frustrate opposition parties rather than a genuine effort to regulate political advertising.

According to him, the charges amount to “a way of squeezing money out of people who want to run for office,” insisting that democracy should be driven by ideas, policies, and the ability to convince voters—not by the financial strength of candidates.

“Democracy should be a contest of ideas, not a contest of who has more money,” he said.

The APC governorship candidate urged Governor Alex Otti and the management of ABSSAA to immediately review the policy and engage political parties, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders in developing a fair and transparent framework for regulating campaign advertisements.

He maintained that public institutions belong to all citizens regardless of political affiliation and should not be used in a manner that could create barriers to participation in the electoral process.

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“Government offices belong to every Abian, not to any one political party,” Opah stated, adding that “Abia deserves a contest of ideas, not political toll gates.”

He further called for the immediate suspension of the policy to guarantee equal opportunities for all political parties and candidates preparing for the 2027 elections.

The controversy surrounding the campaign advertisement fees has continued to generate reactions from political stakeholders across the state, with supporters arguing that the charges are necessary for regulating outdoor advertising, while critics insist they are excessive and could limit political participation.

As preparations for the 2027 general elections intensify, the debate over the advertisement fees is expected to remain a major issue in Abia’s political landscape.