The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State have rejected the new political campaign fees introduced by the Abia State Structure for Signage and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA) for the 2027 general elections, describing the policy as unfair and harmful to democracy.
The campaign fee schedule, announced by ABSSAA on Wednesday, fixes N200 million for presidential candidates, N150 million for governorship candidates, N100 million for senatorial candidates, N50 million for House of Representatives candidates and N20 million for House of Assembly candidates who intend to display campaign materials in the state’s advertising spaces.
Reacting to the development, the Abia APC said the policy was designed to place financial pressure on opposition parties and reduce their ability to campaign freely. The party argued that the fees would make it difficult for many political parties and candidates to participate fully in the election process.
According to the APC, the charges would limit political participation by making election campaigns available only to wealthy candidates and those with access to government resources. The party also maintained that the policy conflicts with the spending limits provided under the Electoral Act 2026, which regulates campaign expenses for political candidates.
The Peoples Democratic Party also opposed the new fee structure, accusing the Abia State Government of turning the political space into a system where only those with huge financial resources could compete.
The PDP described the charges as excessive and called for their immediate withdrawal. The party argued that the policy was not a proper regulatory measure but one that could discourage political competition and deny equal opportunities to candidates seeking elective offices.
Both opposition parties urged the Abia State Government and the advertising agency to reverse the decision before preparations for the 2027 elections gather full momentum, insisting that election rules should promote fairness and equal participation rather than create financial barriers for political contestants.
CLICK THE LINK TO READ FULL LIST
- Advertisement -
Comments are closed.