Soludo's APGA Pays N50m Campaign Permit as Anambra Election Race Intensifies
Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has demonstrated his administration's commitment to new campaign regulations by reportedly paying a mandatory N50 million campaign permit fee for the upcoming November 8, 2025, governorship election. This move by the incumbent governor and his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), sets a precedent as the campaign season officially kicks off.
The Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA) had earlier announced the N50 million fee as a compulsory prerequisite for all political parties and candidates wishing to engage in outdoor campaign activities. According to ANSAA Managing Director, Tony Ujubuoñu, the fee is a statutory requirement aimed at regulating outdoor advertising, ensuring orderliness, preventing visual pollution, and creating a level playing field for all contenders.
This permit, payable directly into the Anambra State government account, covers various campaign materials and activities, including public rallies, posters, banners, branded vehicles, T-shirts, caps, and handbills. Ujubuoñu emphasized that compliance is crucial, warning that any non-compliant materials would be removed, and defaulting parties could face legal repercussions. He also stressed that only practitioners registered and licensed by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) are authorized to erect and manage campaign structures in accordance with ANSAA regulations.
The Young Progressives Party (YPP) was reported to be the first political party to have paid this N50 million fee to ANSAA, securing their approval to commence outdoor political campaigns across the state's 21 local government areas. With 16 political parties cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to participate in the election, ANSAA estimates that the state could potentially generate N800 million in total permit fees.
The introduction of this significant fee has sparked discussions among political stakeholders regarding its implications for smaller parties and its overall impact on the campaign landscape. Nevertheless, Governor Soludo's reported compliance, following the YPP's lead, signals a clear intention by the state government to enforce the new regulations strictly as the campaign season unfolds.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
