The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abia State has formally rejected the newly announced campaign advertising fees set by the Abia State Structure for Signage and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA), calling them excessive and in violation of the Electoral Act. The agency unveiled the fees during a public event in Aba on Wednesday, proposing N200 million for presidential candidates, N150 million for governorship aspirants, and N150 million, N50 million, and N20 million for senatorial, House of Representatives, and House of Assembly candidates respectively. ADC leaders argue that these amounts far exceed the legal campaign expenditure limits established by the Electoral Act, raising concerns about fairness and accessibility in the upcoming 2027 elections.
Kalu Kalu, Chairman of the ADC in Abia State, expressed strong reservations during the announcement, questioning the logic and legality behind the proposed charges. He was accompanied by Francess Ogbonnaya Tabitha, the ADC’s House of Assembly candidate for Arochukwu constituency, who echoed his concerns. Kalu emphasized that such high fees could severely disadvantage opposition parties, limiting their ability to campaign effectively and undermining the principle of fair competition. He questioned whether the fees were not already beyond the legal cap for election expenses as stipulated by law.
The ADC leadership warned that if the fees remain unchanged, they could distort the electoral process and create an uneven playing field. Kalu urged ABSSAA to revise the charges to levels that are both reasonable and compliant with the Electoral Act. He stressed that the agency must not engage in practices that compromise the integrity of the electoral process or favor any political group. The ADC insists that campaign advertising should be accessible to all candidates, regardless of party affiliation or financial strength.
In response, ABSSAA maintained that its policy does not discriminate against any political party. The agency emphasized that the fees were part of a structured framework to regulate outdoor campaign advertising and ensure orderly and standardized campaign activities across the state. However, the ADC remains unconvinced, arguing that the figures are not only disproportionate but also impractical for many candidates, especially those from smaller parties or less affluent backgrounds.
As the 2027 elections approach, the debate over campaign financing and advertising access is likely to intensify. The ADC’s rejection of the ABSSAA fees signals growing concern among opposition parties about transparency and equity in the electoral process. The outcome of this dispute could influence how political campaigns are conducted in Abia State and set a precedent for other states facing similar challenges.
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