The Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency has warned political parties taking part in the upcoming governorship election to pay the N50 million campaign permit fee or face a serious crackdown.
With the election set for November 8, only five out of 16 registered parties have so far paid the required fee. The permit allows them to mount billboards, paste posters, brand vehicles, and carry out outdoor campaigns across the state.
Speaking during a press briefing in Awka on Tuesday, ANSAA’s Managing Director, Tony Ujubuonu, said some parties had ignored the law and continued campaigning without approval.
“Unfortunately, some of these parties have deliberately violated the law. Despite refusing to obtain the mandatory campaign permit, they have proceeded to engage in unauthorised promotional activities—erecting posters, branding vehicles, hoisting banners, organising rallies filled with promotional items bearing party names and logos, and even installing unapproved billboards at irregular sites without proper vetting from the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria,” he said.
He confirmed that only the Young Progressives Party, African Democratic Congress, Action Alliance, Labour Party, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance had paid the campaign fee. APGA was the most recent to comply on July 2.
Ujubuonu also described an incident in Nri, Aniocha Local Government Area, where ANSAA officials were reportedly attacked by supporters of a major political party that is yet to pay the fee.
“One of the major political parties resorted to violence and obstructed our officials. Before the incident, the party had been served two demand notices within two months, each with a two-week compliance window, followed by a legal reminder with an additional one-week extension,” he said.
He explained that after missing the deadline, the same party tried to delay the process by submitting a backdated letter on August 1.
“The letter was received, but since it came after our grace period, there was nothing we could do,” Ujubuonu added.
He confirmed that the assault has been reported to the police.
“We call on the press and all well-meaning citizens to bear witness: ANSAA has explored every civil and administrative channel. We are now fully within our legal rights to enforce compliance and shall do so with the professionalism our agency is known for,” he said.
He added that some political groups are sticking to radio, television, and social media campaigns to avoid breaching signage laws, which he said is acceptable as long as it stays within legal limits.
Also speaking, ANSAA’s Assistant General Manager, Chika Ngobiri, shared his team’s experience during the Nri incident.
“We narrowly escaped being attacked by supporters of the same party while doing our job in Nri,” he said.
