The Anambra State Government has unveiled a stringent regulatory framework for political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections, imposing permit fees ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦50 million on candidates seeking to deploy outdoor campaign materials and conduct political rallies across the state.
The new guidelines, announced by the Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA), place the highest levy of ₦50 million on presidential candidates, while senatorial aspirants will pay ₦20 million for campaign permits.
Speaking during a press briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Awka, ANSAA Assistant General Manager, Chika Ngobili, said the measures were aimed at establishing clear rules for political advertising and campaign activities ahead of the commencement of electioneering by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Under the fee structure released by the agency, House of Representatives candidates will pay ₦5 million, chairmanship candidates ₦2.5 million, State House of Assembly aspirants ₦1.5 million, while councillorship candidates will be required to pay ₦100,000.
Ngobili explained that the permit covers all forms of campaign publicity, including posters, banners, billboards, fliers, branded vehicles, public address systems, campaign booths, branded apparel, street campaigns and political rallies.
He said the agency was acting within its statutory mandate to regulate outdoor advertising, preserve public infrastructure and maintain environmental aesthetics across the state.
According to him, the framework is also designed to ensure fairness and equitable access to advertising spaces for all political parties and candidates.
“The guidelines were issued in line with the regulatory framework governing political campaign activities in Anambra State,” Ngobili said, adding that the permit regime would facilitate effective coordination and monitoring of campaign activities across electoral areas.
As part of the regulations, all political advertisements and campaign materials must receive prior vetting and approval from the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) before being displayed or distributed.
The agency also announced a ban on the indiscriminate placement of posters and campaign materials on public infrastructure, including government buildings, road signs, bridges, flyovers, utility facilities, schools and hospitals.
Ngobili stressed that candidates, political parties and support groups would not be allowed to erect campaign billboards independently, noting that all outdoor advertising structures must be handled by ARCON-registered practitioners licensed by ANSAA.
He further warned against the destruction, removal or defacement of opponents’ campaign materials, saying the agency would deploy enforcement teams to monitor compliance throughout the election period.
The ANSAA official cautioned that violators of the regulations would face sanctions in accordance with relevant state laws.
He urged political stakeholders to conduct their campaigns peacefully and responsibly, stressing that elections should not be viewed as a “do-or-die affair” but as a democratic process that must be pursued within the bounds of the law.
The development is expected to spark debate among political parties and aspirants over the cost implications of campaigning in Anambra as preparations gradually gather momentum for the 2027 general elections.
