The Abia State Structure for Signage and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA) has rolled out a new fee schedule for political campaign materials ahead of the 2027 elections — and the figures are raising eyebrows across the state.
If you are nursing ambitions of running for any political office in Abia State come 2027, you had better start counting your naira — and plenty of it. The Abia State Structure for Signage and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA) has announced a bold new fee regime for any candidate who wants to display campaign banners, billboards, or signposts within the state.
What Are the Fees?
According to the new schedule released by ABSSAA, the charges are structured according to the office being contested:
– Presidential Candidates* — *N200 million
– Gubernatorial Candidates* — *N150 million
– Other candidates — proportionate fees depending on the office sought
These fees apply to any aspirant — regardless of political party — who wishes to put up campaign signage anywhere within Abia State territory.
Why This Is Generating Buzz
For many Nigerians, especially those in Abia State, these figures are anything but small chop. At a time when millions of ordinary Abians are grappling with the high cost of living, the idea of a single candidate paying N200 million just to hang banners is a conversation starter — and not always a comfortable one.
Some observers argue that the policy is a smart revenue-generation move for the state government, particularly as states across Nigeria continue to look for internally generated revenue (IGR) streams beyond federal allocations.
Others, however, are raising concerns that such steep charges could discourage grassroots candidates and smaller political parties from effectively campaigning in the state — essentially tilting the playing field in favour of deep-pocketed politicians and the big parties.
The Bigger Picture
This move by Abia State is part of a growing trend across Nigerian states to regulate and monetise political advertising in public spaces. While the intention to bring order to the often chaotic world of Nigerian political signage is understandable — anyone who has seen election season in Nigeria knows how every available surface can become a billboard — the scale of these fees is unprecedented.
It remains to be seen whether ABSSAA will enforce these charges strictly or whether negotiations and waivers will become the order of the day, as is sometimes the reality on ground in Nigerian governance.
As 2027 draws closer and the political temperature continues to rise, Abia State has made one thing crystal clear — campaigning in the state is going to cost you. Whether this is a masterstroke of revenue policy or a barrier to democratic participation, Abians and political watchers across Nigeria will be keeping a close eye on how this plays out.
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