Anambra Imposes Campaign Permit Fees On 2027 Aspirants, Presidential Candidates To Pay ₦50 Million

The Anambra State Government has announced a new campaign permit regime requiring political parties and candidates seeking to conduct outdoor campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections to obtain permits and pay prescribed fees.

The directive was issued by the Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA), which stated that presidential candidates will pay ₦50 million for outdoor campaign permits, while senatorial candidates will be required to pay ₦20 million.

The announcement was made during a press briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Awka by the Assistant General Manager of ANSAA, Chika Ngobili.

According to Ngobili, the briefing was aimed at informing political parties, candidates, advertising practitioners, media organizations, and the general public about the regulations governing out-of-home promotions and visual campaign activities for the 2027 elections in Anambra State.

He disclosed that candidates seeking election into the House of Representatives will pay ₦5 million, while candidates for the Anambra State House of Assembly will pay ₦1.5 million.

Similarly, local government chairmanship candidates are expected to pay ₦2.5 million, while councillorship candidates will pay ₦100,000 before embarking on outdoor campaign activities.

Permit Covers Various Campaign Activities

Ngobili explained that the permit covers a wide range of campaign-related activities, including the deployment of posters, banners, branded vehicles, public address systems, flyers, campaign booths, street campaigns, rallies, branded clothing materials, and other promotional items within approved locations across the state.

He stated that the guidelines were issued in line with existing laws regulating signage and advertising activities in Anambra State and are expected to take effect ahead of the official commencement of political campaigns as approved by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to him, the agency is legally empowered to regulate outdoor advertising, issue permits, protect public infrastructure, maintain environmental aesthetics, and collect revenue on behalf of the state government.

Government Defends Policy

The agency maintained that the permit system was introduced to ensure orderliness, prevent visual pollution, protect public assets, maintain professional standards in political advertising, and guarantee fairness and equal access to campaign advertising spaces across the state.

Ngobili further emphasized that all campaign materials intended for outdoor display must first receive approval from the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) before deployment.

He warned political parties, candidates, support groups, and advertising agencies against violating the established guidelines.

Warning Against Defacing Opponents’ Campaign Materials

ANSAA also cautioned political actors against removing, damaging, or defacing campaign materials belonging to opponents, describing such actions as unlawful and contrary to democratic principles.

The agency stressed that no individual, support group, political party, or candidate is permitted to erect billboards or advertising structures anywhere within Anambra State except through duly registered and licensed advertising practitioners recognized by ARCON and authorized by ANSAA.

The agency equally warned against indiscriminate poster placement on public buildings, bridges, road signs, flyovers, drainage systems, schools, hospitals, monuments, utility installations, and other prohibited locations.

Ngobili disclosed that ANSAA enforcement teams would monitor compliance throughout the campaign season and apply appropriate sanctions against violators in accordance with the laws of Anambra State.

He also appealed to political stakeholders to conduct their activities peacefully and avoid treating the election season as a do-or-die affair.

The development has already generated discussions among political observers and stakeholders regarding the financial implications of the permit fees on candidates and political parties preparing for the 2027 general elections.