Opah says Abia workers, pensioners are his ‘billboards’

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Abia State, Chief Eric Opah, has said he would rely on the people of the state as his “billboards” rather than physical campaign structures.

Opah, who spoke to supporters on arrival in Umuahia, said civil servants, pensioners and market traders would be at the centre of his campaign, amid controversy over the state’s outdoor advertising fees.

“Abia workers are my billboards. Abia pensioners who almost lost their pensions and gratuity are my billboards. The market traders who wake up every day only to be squeezed by heavy taxes are my billboards,” he said.

His comments come amid controversy surrounding the revised tariff structure of the Abia State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ABSAA), which reportedly places outdoor advertising fees at N150 million for governorship candidates and N200 million for presidential candidates.

The fees have generated criticism and legal challenges, with questions raised over the impact of the charges on political campaigns.

Rather than dwell on the billboard controversy, Opah said his campaign would focus on the experiences of ordinary Abia residents and the state’s economic development.

He described himself as an entrepreneur and “builder” with experience in establishing businesses, saying he decided to enter the governorship race because of his concerns about the management of the state.

“I am a builder who has built businesses. Abia at the moment is not being managed well, and that is the reason I am throwing my hat into the ring,” he said.

Opah said workers, pensioners and traders who contribute to the state’s economy would remain central to his campaign message.

He added that their everyday experiences and concerns were more important to him than conventional campaign billboards.