ADC Rejects ABSSAA’s New Campaign Advertisement Fees, Alleges Electoral Act Violation.

ADC Rejects ABSSAA’s New Campaign Advertisement Fees, Alleges Electoral Act Violation.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abia State has rejected the newly announced outdoor campaign advertisement fees introduced by the Abia State Structure for Signage and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA), describing the charges as excessive and inconsistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

ABSSAA recently unveiled a new fee structure for political campaign advertisements ahead of the 2027 general elections, fixing outdoor campaign fees at ₦200 million for presidential candidates, ₦150 million for governorship candidates, ₦150 million for senatorial candidates, ₦50 million for House of Representatives candidates, and ₦20 million for House of Assembly candidates.

Reacting during the announcement of the new advertising regime in Aba on Wednesday, the Chairman of the ADC in Abia State, Kalu Kalu, expressed strong reservations over the fees, arguing that they could place an unfair financial burden on political parties and candidates. He attended the event alongside the party’s House of Assembly candidate for Arochukwu Constituency, Francess Ogbonnaya Tabitha.

Kalu questioned the basis for the charges, insisting that they appear to exceed the campaign expenditure limits stipulated by the Electoral Act. According to him, imposing such high fees could hinder opposition parties from participating effectively in the electoral process and undermine the principle of a level playing field ahead of the 2027 elections in Abia State.

“Has it not exceeded the election expenses that are provided by the Electoral Act?” the ADC chairman asked while calling on the agency to review and reduce the fees to levels that comply with the law.

He further urged ABSSAA to avoid policies that could be interpreted as restricting political participation or creating financial barriers for candidates seeking elective offices.

However, ABSSAA defended the new fee structure, maintaining that its outdoor advertising policy applies equally to all political parties and candidates, adding that no party is being discriminated against under the new campaign advertisement regime.