Anambra State Sets ₦50 Million Campaign Permit Fee for 2025 Governorship Election
The Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA) has announced a ₦50 million permit fee for each political party participating in the upcoming governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025. This fee grants parties the right to conduct various campaign activities, including deploying posters, using public address systems, organizing rallies, and branding vehicles, throughout the state’s 21 local government areas. ANSAA Managing Director, Tony Ujubuonu, revealed this during a press briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Awka, emphasizing the need for a structured and lawful campaign season. With at least 16 political parties cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to contest the election, the total potential revenue for the state coffers stands at ₦800 million.
The rationale behind the substantial fee, according to Ujubuonu, is to ensure the orderly and regulated use of advertising and visual promotional spaces during the campaign period. ANSAA, established in 2010, holds the mandate to regulate outdoor advertising structures, control signage deployment, issue permits and licenses, maintain environmental aesthetics, and collect revenue on behalf of the state government. Ujubuonu stressed the importance of adherence to these guidelines to avoid defacing public spaces and maintain a level playing field for all contestants.
The agency further clarified that only advertising practitioners registered and licensed by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), a federal government agency, are authorized to erect and manage advertising structures in Anambra State, after obtaining the necessary permits from ANSAA. This regulation aims to prevent unauthorized billboard placements and maintain a standardized approach to outdoor advertising. Political parties and candidates are required to collaborate with ARCON-registered practitioners to avoid potential sanctions or removal of unapproved campaign materials.
Ujubuonu emphasized that the governorship campaign should be viewed as a civic exercise within the state and not a "do-or-die" affair. He urged all participants, including candidates, supporters, and the general public, to refrain from violence, provocation, and any unprofessional conduct related to public promotion, advertising, and campaigns. Furthermore, he called on media practitioners to support ANSAA’s efforts in ensuring a peaceful campaign process across the state.
The agency has communicated these guidelines to all political parties and candidates, including the incumbent governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Ujubuonu also indicated that the compliance status of each party and candidate would be made public in due course. As of the press briefing, no official reactions from the political parties or candidates had been received.
This development introduces a significant financial aspect to the Anambra 2025 governorship race. The ₦50 million permit fee will likely impact the campaign strategies of participating parties, particularly smaller parties with limited resources. The regulation emphasizes the state’s commitment to maintaining order and decorum during the campaign period, while also generating revenue for the state government. The upcoming weeks will reveal how political parties adapt to this new financial requirement and how it ultimately influences the dynamics of the election.
