Politics
N200m Billboard Fee in Abia: NDC Ally Questions Governors’ Actions Ahead of 2027 Elections
By David Odama
An ally of the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Congress (NDC), Engr. Anselm Ijebor, on Friday criticised governors for allegedly subjecting political candidates to payment of fees for campaigns in their respective states.
Engr. Ijebor, while fielding questions from journalists on Saturday in Abuja, demanded an explanation for why candidates are being charged for holding campaigns or displaying billboards in their states.
The PDP chieftain argued that the rising cost of political campaigns was generating serious concerns, describing the actions of the governors as deliberate measures aimed at clipping the wings of opposition parties in their states ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Condemning the actions of the governors in strong terms, Ijebor wondered why presidential candidates in Abia State were expected to pay N200 million for campaign billboards, while governorship candidates were required to cough out a whopping N150 million.
According to the NDC ally, the situation in Anambra and Enugu states is no different, as presidential candidates are expected to pay N50 million and N150 million, respectively, for campaign materials, billboards and branded campaign vehicles.
He added that the actions of the governors clearly demonstrated the suppression of opposition parties and their candidates.
“The action of the governors is not only undemocratic, unacceptable but condemnable in a democratic nation like Nigeria”.
“Are these fees legitimate regulation of political advertising, or are they becoming financial barriers that could undermine competition ahead of 2027?”, Anselm Ijebor questioned.
“The state governments charging presidential candidates tens and even hundreds of millions of naira for the right to display posters and billboards is not only raising fears that visibility is being priced beyond the reach of opposition parties less than three months to the January 16, 2027 election”, the PDP chieftain stated.
While calling on Nigerians to remain resolute in their determination for change, the NDC ally, who has supported Peter Obi since 2023, appealed for total support for the Obi/Kwankwaso ticket ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
He further urged Nigerians to continue demonstrating unity, cohesion, resilience and teamwork towards realising Peter Obi’s presidential ambition, which he said was designed to rescue the country from self-inflicted hardship, poverty and hunger.
“Nigerians have suffered enough in a country with abundant resources. The time has come for us to decide the fate of this country”, Engr. Ijebor declared.