2027 ELECTION CRISIS: Abia Opposition Explodes Over ₦200m Campaign Poster Fee, Accuses Otti Government of ‘Political Extortion’

2027 Election Crisis: Abia Opposition Explodes Over ₦200m Campaign Poster Fee, Accuses Otti Government of ‘Political Extortion’

The opposition political parties in Abia State have strongly rejected the newly announced campaign signage fees introduced by the Abia State Signage and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA), describing the charges as excessive, unconstitutional and capable of undermining democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

ABSSAA had on Wednesday unveiled a new rate for political campaign advertisements, requiring presidential candidates to pay ₦200 million before displaying campaign posters or billboards anywhere in Abia State. Governorship candidates are expected to pay ₦150 million, while candidates for other elective positions will pay fees ranging from ₦20 million upwards.

The announcement has sparked widespread criticism from opposition parties, who argue that the policy places an unfair financial burden on candidates and could discourage political participation.

Reacting to the development, the Acting Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abia State, Kalu Kalu Agu, rejected the new charges, arguing that they contradict the provisions of the Electoral Act, particularly those relating to campaign spending limits and equal political competition.

Similarly, the Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemned the policy, describing it as “outrageous, punitive and a draconian assault on political participation.”

In a statement signed by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Jude Udeachara, the PDP alleged that the policy amounts to the commercialization of democracy and is aimed at frustrating opposition candidates.

According to the party, the signage fees represent “political extortion dressed in administrative language,” adding that the charges would deny financially disadvantaged candidates the opportunity to effectively communicate their manifestos to the electorate.

The PDP further argued that Governor Alex Otti should remember that public advertising spaces are part of the democratic process and should remain accessible to all political parties under fair and reasonable conditions.

The party also questioned the legality of the charges in relation to the Electoral Act 2026, noting that Section 92 sets maximum campaign expenditure limits for candidates seeking elective offices.

According to the PDP, the Electoral Act allows presidential candidates to spend a maximum of ₦10 billion, governorship candidates ₦3 billion, senatorial candidates ₦500 million, House of Representatives candidates ₦250 million, and State House of Assembly candidates ₦100 million throughout their campaigns.

The opposition party argued that if every state in Nigeria were to adopt a similar ₦200 million permit fee for presidential campaign posters, candidates would spend approximately ₦7.4 billion on permits alone across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

It said such an amount would consume about 74 percent of the legally permitted campaign expenditure before accounting for billboard production, installation, media publicity, logistics, rallies and other campaign activities.

Describing the policy as “absurd, reckless and anti-democratic,” the PDP called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to intervene.

The party urged the electoral body to caution the Abia State Government against implementing policies that could undermine a level playing field and threaten free and fair political competition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

As of the time of filing this report, the Abia State Government had not issued any further response to the criticisms raised by the opposition parties beyond the announcement of the new ABSSAA signage fee structure.