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From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The Abia State Government, through the Abia State Structure for Signage and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA), has slammed a N200 million fee on all 2027 presidential candidates before they could display their political campaign posters anywhere in the state.
Equally, governorship and other candidates contesting elective positions in the state are to pay signage fees ranging from N150 million to N20 million. This was revealed in Aba by the Director of Strategy and Innovation of ABSSAA, Ndubuisi Nwogwugwu, during the agency’s 2026 stakeholders engagement forum.
Nwogwugwu said governorship candidates are to pay N150 million, senatorial candidates N100 million, House of Representatives candidates, N50 million, while State House of Assembly candidates will pay N20 million. He assured that no party will be discriminated against in the implementation of the signage fee policy.
The Director, ABSSAA, Mr. Okpara Chinedum John, vowed that the agency will dismantle or revoke any campaign billboard that goes contrary to approved standards, including those threatening public safety and peace of the state.
He said the standardisation policies of the agency were responsible for the continuous dismantling of billboards that pose serious risks to lives of Abia residents.
John said that the agency’s activities go beyond revenue generation and regulation to promotion of the good image of Abia State, in collaboration with ministries and relevant MDAs.
The Special Guest of Honour and Chief of Staff (CoS) to Abia State Governor, Caleb Ajagba, praised the efforts of ABSSAA for its efforts in regulating the Abia State outdoor advertising space.
Represented by the Special Adviser to Abia State Governor on Investment Promotion, Public Private Partnership, Chief Jerome Mbaobu Green-Amamkwe, the CoS described the stakeholders’ engagement as apt, considering the state government’s interest in an organised system of doing things.
In his keynote address, the Director General, Abia State Bureau of Strategic Communication, Onyebuchi Ememanka, said the signage fees were not designed to stifle Abia opposition voices and visibility, noting that it affects every political party.
