“Anambra Sets ₦50 Million Presidential Campaign Permit Fee Ahead of 2027 Elections”

“Anambra Sets ₦50 Million Presidential Campaign Permit Fee Ahead of 2027 Elections”

The Anambra State Government has announced a new permit fee structure for political campaigns ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, requiring presidential candidates to pay ₦50 million for outdoor campaign activities within the state.

The directive, unveiled by the Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA), also places a ₦20 million permit fee on senatorial candidates seeking to deploy campaign materials and conduct outdoor promotional activities across Anambra.

Speaking during a press briefing in Awka, ANSAA Assistant General Manager, Chika Ngobili, said the measure is part of the state’s regulatory framework aimed at ensuring orderly, professional, and environmentally compliant political campaigns ahead of the elections.

Under the newly released guidelines, candidates for the House of Representatives will pay ₦5 million, State House of Assembly candidates ₦1.5 million, local government chairmanship candidates ₦2.5 million, while councillor ship candidates will be charged ₦100,000.

According to the agency, the permits will cover a wide range of campaign related activities and materials, including billboards, posters, banners, branded vehicles, campaign booths, rallies, public address systems, fliers, T shirts, caps, and other outdoor promotional tools.

ANSAA stated that the policy is intended to regulate the use of public advertising spaces, prevent visual pollution, protect public infrastructure, and ensure fairness among political parties and candidates competing for visibility during the election period.

The agency further directed that all political advertisements and campaign materials must receive approval from the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) before deployment. It also warned against the indiscriminate placement of campaign materials on public buildings, road signs, bridges, schools, hospitals, utility installations, and other restricted locations.

Political parties, support groups, and candidates were reminded that outdoor advertising structures and billboards can only be erected through licensed advertising practitioners recognized by ARCON and authorized by ANSAA.

The announcement has already generated debate among political stakeholders and observers, with some viewing the fees as a legitimate regulatory mechanism for managing campaign activities, while others may question the potential financial implications for candidates and political parties.

The latest development is not the first time Anambra authorities have imposed campaign related permit fees. Similar charges were introduced during preparations for previous elections in the state as part of efforts to regulate outdoor political advertising and maintain environmental standards.

As Nigeria gradually moves toward the 2027 electoral cycle, the implementation and enforcement of these guidelines are expected to attract significant attention from political actors, civil society groups, and election observers.