By Ikeugonna Eleke and Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
All the 16 governorship candidates participating in the Anambra 2025 Election are to pay the sum of N50 million each, before they can commence campaigns in the state.
The Anambra State Signage and Advertising Agency (ANSAA) stated this recently, during a press conference in Awka. It said the payment would allow them paste posters, hoist billboards and parade branded cars, vests and others.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Mr Tony Ujubuonu, who addressed journalists in Awka, said all the political parties fielding candidates for the election, including Governor Chukwuma Soludo, would pay the fee, noting that the decision was not targeted at any political party.
‘The permit comes with a statutory fee of Fifty million Naira only, payable to the Anambra State Government account.
‘This campaign fee grants the parties the right to deploy their campaign materials and activities, using posters, public address system, branded vehicles, banners, fliers, bunting, T-shirts, caps, street storms, rallies and sundry others in locations across the cities, villages and communities in the 21 local Government Areas of the State.
‘What we have done is to maintain professional standards in the use of public advertising. This permit is to ensure orderliness, prevent visual pollution, and create a level playing ground,’ he said.
Ujubuonu said the agency was created by the Anambra State Government in 2010 and established by law for the purpose of regulating the use of out-of-home advertising structures, control of outdoor structures.
Campaigns for the Anambra Governorship Election commenced on Wednesday, June 11, according to the guidelines handed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Governorship Election for the state will hold on November 8. According to INEC, a total of 16 political parties are fielding candidates in the election.
