The Abia State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly condemned the outrageous campaign advertising charges recently announced by the Abia State Structure for Signage and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA).
Recall that DrumAfricanews reported that in the advert campaign permit rate released by ABSSAA, presidential candidates are expected to pay ₦200 million, governorship candidates ₦150 million, senatorial candidates ₦100 million, House of Representatives candidates ₦50 million, and State House of Assembly candidates ₦20 million to be permitted to advertise their campaigns within Abia State.
Uche Aguoru, Publicity Secretary
APC, Abia State, described the move as unlawful, oppressive, unconscionable and represents one of the most brazen attacks on democracy in the history of our state.
He said that it is a desperate, fear-driven attempt by the Labour Party administration to erect financial hurdles against political opponents after failing to win the confidence of the people through good governance.
Aguoru said that rather than improve the welfare of Abians, create jobs, show transparency in governance and justify the mandate entrusted to it, the Otti administration has chosen the ignoble path of weaponizing state institutions to intimidate, frustrate and financially cripple opposition candidates.
“The APC views this policy as a calculated attempt to commercialize democracy and reduce political participation to the exclusive preserve of the wealthy and those with access to state resources.
“It is an indirect tax on democracy and another chapter in the administration’s growing catalogue of anti-people policies that continue to impoverish Abians through excessive taxation, arbitrary levies and exploitative revenue drives.”
He said that the Otti administration must be reminded that Abia State is not a private estate, and ABSSAA is not an agency established to extort citizens or suppress political competition.
Aguoru said that outdoor advertising spaces belong to the people and must remain accessible to all candidates under fair, transparent and reasonable conditions consistent with democratic principles.
He said that even more disturbing is the clear inconsistency between these outrageous charges and the provisions of Section 92 of the Electoral Act, 2026 (as amended), which sets limits to campaign expenditures.
The APC spokesperson said that it defies every known principle of fairness and common sense for a State House of Assembly candidate to be compelled to pay ₦20 million representing 20 percent of the candidate’s total legally permitted campaign expenditure just for outdoor advertising.
According to him, this move by ABSSAA raises a fundamental question, “Is the Otti administration deliberately attempting to force opposition candidates to breach the Electoral Act, or does it simply lack an understanding of the legal implications of its own policy?
“The APC therefore calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), relevant regulatory agencies and all defenders of constitutional democracy to take immediate notice of this dangerous development and prevail on the Abia State Government to reverse this anti-democratic policy before it damages the credibility of the forthcoming elections.”
The Abia APC called for the immediate withdrawal of the outrageous charges and the suspension of every directive connected with this draconian revenue scheme.
Aguoru said that the APC will resist every attempt to use government institutions as instruments of political persecution,oppression or economic intimidation.
“We shall explore every lawful and constitutional means to challenge this oppressive policy and ensure that the democratic rights of all candidates, irrespective of political party affiliation, are fully protected.
“No government has the moral or legal authority to auction democracy to the highest bidder. Elections must be won through the ballot, not through extortion and intimidation.”
