A fresh political controversy has erupted in Abia State after the state’s two major opposition parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), strongly rejected the newly announced campaign fees introduced by the Abia State Structure for Signage and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The agency recently unveiled a new fee structure requiring presidential candidates to pay ₦200 million, governorship candidates ₦150 million, senatorial candidates ₦100 million, House of Representatives aspirants ₦50 million, and House of Assembly candidates ₦20 million for campaign-related advertising.
The announcement immediately triggered outrage from opposition parties, who described the policy as excessive and a threat to democratic participation.
In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru, the APC accused the Abia State Government of using state institutions to intimidate and financially weaken opposition candidates ahead of the polls.
According to the party, the policy is a deliberate attempt to commercialize Nigeria’s democratic process by making elections accessible only to wealthy politicians and those with access to government resources.
The APC further argued that the charges appear inconsistent with the provisions of Section 92 of the Electoral Act 2026 (as amended), which sets limits on campaign spending by political candidates.
The Peoples Democratic Party also condemned the policy, describing it as an attempt to “auction the political space to the highest bidder.”
In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Jude Udeachara, the PDP demanded the immediate withdrawal of the fee schedule, insisting that the policy amounts to political intimidation rather than legitimate regulation.
“This is not a regulation; it is political extortion dressed in administrative language,” the party declared.
The controversy has sparked widespread debate over campaign financing and the cost of political participation as preparations for the 2027 elections gradually gather momentum. Political observers are now watching closely to see whether the Abia State Government will respond to the growing criticism or review the controversial policy.
#AbiaPolitics #APC #PDP #2027Election #ABSSAA #CampaignFees #BreakingNews #NigeriaPolitics #ElectoralAct #TrendingNow
