Abia PDP Condemns Campaign Advertising Fees, Accuses Otti Administration of Undermining Democracy
The Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the campaign advertising fees announced by the Abia State Structures for Signage and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA), describing the charges as excessive and capable of undermining democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a press statement issued on Thursday and signed by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Sir Jude Udeachara, the PDP alleged that the rates introduced by the agency would place an undue financial burden on political parties and candidates seeking elective offices.
According to the party, ABSSAA fixed campaign advertising fees at ₦200 million for presidential candidates, ₦150 million for governorship candidates, ₦100 million for senatorial candidates, ₦50 million for House of Representatives candidates and ₦20 million for State House of Assembly candidates.
The opposition party argued that the policy amounts to the commercialisation of the democratic process and could restrict political participation by making campaign advertising unaffordable for many candidates.
The PDP further contended that the charges were inconsistent with the campaign expenditure limits provided under the Electoral Act 2026. It noted that the ₦20 million fee for State House of Assembly candidates represents 20 per cent of the ₦100 million maximum campaign expenditure allowed by law, while the ₦50 million and ₦100 million fees for House of Representatives and senatorial candidates respectively also account for 20 per cent of their statutory spending limits.
The party added that if similar fees were adopted across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, a presidential candidate could spend as much as ₦7.4 billion on advertising permits alone, representing a significant portion of the ₦10 billion spending ceiling prescribed by the Electoral Act.
The PDP called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to examine the implications of the policy and engage the Abia State Government to ensure that campaign regulations do not undermine a level playing field for political parties.
It also urged civil society organisations, election observers, the media and the Nigerian Bar Association to oppose what it described as an attempt to monetise political participation and suppress opposition campaigns.
The party demanded the immediate withdrawal of the advertising fees, maintaining that regulatory charges should reflect only the administrative cost of signage regulation and should not be used to discourage lawful political campaigns.
The Abia PDP stated that it would pursue all lawful political and legal means to protect the rights of its candidates and members, insisting that the political space in the state should remain open and accessible to all parties.
