2027: N150m advert fee assault on democracy, says Cross River PDP

From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Cross River State has condemned the new political advert rates announced by the Cross River State Signage and Advertisement Agency, CRISSAA, describing the N150 million fee for presidential campaigns as “an assault on democracy.”

State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Prince Mike Ojisi, said the tariff was “one of the most outrageous, insensitive, and anti-democratic policies” introduced by the APC-led government in the state.

Ahead of campaigns for the 2027 general elections, CRISSAA announced   a signage fee of 150m for presidential candidates, 100m for  governorship candidates, N50m for senatorial candidates,  N25m for House of Representatives  and N5m for State House of Assembly candidates  for outdoor advert spaces.

The PDP argues that imposing such fees at a time when citizens are battling hunger, unemployment, collapsing businesses and poor infrastructure was insensitive.

“This is not governance; it is political oppression disguised as regulation,” Ojisi said. “How can any responsible government describe N100 million for governorship political advertisements as moderate in a state where civil servants, traders, farmers and youths are struggling to survive?”

The party alleged that the policy was a deliberate attempt to price the opposition out of the democratic process ahead of 2027. It also raised concerns that revenue from the charges could be used to strengthen the ruling party’s political machinery.

“Democracy cannot thrive where the referee appears to be placing heavy cost on one side of the contest,” the statement added.

The PDP further rejected claims that opposition parties endorsed the rates. It said the comments by the IPAC State Chairman represented only his personal opinion and that of his party, noting that the PDP did not attend the CRISAA meeting.

The party called on CRISAA and the state government to immediately suspend and review the rates, and to convene an inclusive consultation with all political parties, civil society and other stakeholders.

“Cross River does not need N150 million political toll gates. It needs jobs, roads, healthcare, education and security,” Ojisi said. “A government that fears competition has already admitted its failure.”

The PDP insisted that political advertising is part of democratic communication and should not be commercialized to the point of excluding smaller parties and less buoyant candidates.