The Anambra State Government has introduced permit fees for political campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with presidential candidates expected to pay N50 million and senatorial candidates N20 million for outdoor campaign activities within the state.
The new guidelines were announced on Friday by the Assistant General Manager of the Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA), Chika Ngobili, during a press briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Awka.
According to the agency, the briefing was aimed at informing political parties, candidates, media organisations and advertising practitioners about regulations guiding outdoor political promotions and visual campaign activities in the state.
Under the approved fee structure, House of Representatives candidates will pay N5 million, House of Assembly candidates N1.5 million, local government chairmanship candidates N2.5 million, while councillorship candidates are to pay N100,000 before carrying out campaign activities.
Ngobili explained that the permit covers campaign materials and activities including posters, branded vehicles, public address systems, banners, fliers, campaign booths, rallies, street campaigns, branded clothing and other promotional materials displayed in approved locations.
He said the guidelines were introduced in line with existing regulations governing political campaigns and ahead of the official commencement of campaign activities by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The agency is formally informing political parties, candidates, advertising practitioners, media organisations and members of the public about the out-of-home promotions and visual campaign guidelines for the 2027 general elections in Anambra State,” he stated.
Ngobili noted that ANSAA is legally empowered to regulate signage and advertisement activities, issue permits, maintain environmental standards, protect public infrastructure and generate revenue for the state government.
He added that the permit system was designed to ensure orderliness, discourage visual pollution, protect public facilities, promote fairness among political actors and improve coordination during the election period.
The agency also stated that all campaign materials intended for outdoor use by political parties, support groups, candidates and advertising practitioners must receive approval from the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) before deployment.
ANSAA further warned against destruction or removal of opponents’ campaign materials, describing such acts as unlawful and inconsistent with democratic principles.
The agency stressed that no political party, candidate or support group would be allowed to erect billboards or advertisement structures in any part of the state except through registered advertising practitioners recognised by ARCON and authorised by ANSAA.
It also cautioned against indiscriminate placement of posters on public buildings, bridges, road signs, drainage systems, schools, hospitals and other restricted public spaces.
Ngobili disclosed that enforcement teams would monitor compliance throughout the campaign season and sanction violators in accordance with relevant state laws.
He called on political actors to conduct their campaigns peacefully, emphasising that elections should not be treated as a do-or-die affair.
The agency also appealed to journalists and media practitioners to support efforts aimed at ensuring a peaceful, orderly and professional campaign environment across the state.
