2027 polls: Abia govt slaps N200m, N150m campaign advertising fees on presidential, guber candidates

The Abia State Signage and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA) has announced a campaign advertising fee of N200 million for all presidential candidates seeking to display campaign billboards, posters and other political advertising materials across the state’s designated advertising spaces ahead of the 2027 general election.

The development comes after similar charges were introduced by some other states, a move that has attracted criticism from opposition political parties, which argue that the fees could limit fair political participation.

ABSSAA also disclosed that governorship candidates of all political parties intending to campaign through outdoor advertising in Abia State will be required to pay N150 million as campaign advertising fees.

The policy was unveiled on Wednesday in Aba by the Director of Strategy and Innovation of ABSSAA, Ndubuisi Nwogwugwu during its 2026 stakeholders engagement forum.

Nwogwugwu also announced that senatorial candidates are to pay one hundred million naira, House of Representatives candidates are to pay fifty million naira, while those contesting for State House of Assembly seats are to pay twenty million naira.

The agency said the payment would cover the campaign and election periods.

It, however, said that a House of Assembly candidate who could not pay the approved fee, could run a joint campaign billboard where his picture can be placed under the governorship candidate of his own political party.

The agency also vowed to dismantle or revoke any campaign billboard that go contrary to approval standards, including those threatening public safety and peace of the State.

Also speaking at the event, the Director General , Abia State Bureau of Strategic Communication, Onyebuchi Ememanka, stated that the campaign fees were not designed to stifle Abia opposition voices and visibility, noting that it affects every political party.

However, the Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Abia State, Kalu Kalu who attended the program, rejected the new campaign fees, saying it contravened the provisions of the Nigerian Electoral Act, especially where it affects campaign funds limits and fair play.

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