Anambra State fixes campaign permit fees ahead of 2027 elections, charging N50m for presidential candidates and N20m for senatorial hopefuls, with strict rules on outdoor advertising and rallies.

The Anambra State Government has introduced a new permit regime for political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections, pegging fees as high as N50 million for presidential candidates and N20 million for senatorial contenders.

The directive, announced by the Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA), outlines mandatory payments and strict guidelines governing all outdoor campaign activities across the state.

Speaking at a press briefing in Awka, ANSAA’s Assistant General Manager, Chika Ngobili, said the move is aimed at regulating political advertising, ensuring orderliness, and protecting public infrastructure as electioneering approaches.

Under the new structure, House of Representatives candidates will pay N5 million, House of Assembly candidates N1.5 million, local government chairmanship aspirants N2.5 million, while councillorship candidates are to pay N100,000.

The permits cover a wide range of campaign tools, including posters, billboards, branded vehicles, banners, fliers, public address systems, rallies, street campaigns, and other promotional materials deployed in approved locations.

Ngobili stressed that all political parties, candidates, support groups, and advertising practitioners must obtain clearance from both ANSAA and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) before rolling out any campaign materials.

He warned that indiscriminate pasting of posters on public structures such as bridges, road signs, schools, hospitals, and utility installations would not be tolerated, adding that only licensed practitioners are authorised to erect billboards in the state.

The agency also cautioned political actors against vandalising or removing opponents’ campaign materials, describing such actions as unlawful and a threat to peaceful democratic engagement.

According to Ngobili, enforcement teams will be deployed throughout the campaign period to ensure compliance, with defaulters facing sanctions in line with state laws.

He added that the policy is designed to curb visual pollution, promote professionalism in political advertising, and ensure fairness among contestants.

Calling for calm and civility, Ngobili urged political stakeholders to conduct their campaigns peacefully, insisting that elections should not be treated as a “do-or-die affair.” He also appealed to media organisations to support efforts toward a coordinated and orderly campaign environment in Anambra.