By Tobias Ekirika, Onitsha
As preparations for the 2027 general elections gradually gather momentum across Nigeria, the Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA) has rolled out stringent guidelines aimed at regulating political campaign advertising and outdoor promotional activities within the state.
The agency’s latest directive, unveiled during a press briefing in Awka on Friday, signals what observers describe as an early attempt to ensure orderliness, professionalism and accountability in political communication ahead of the polls.
Speaking during the briefing, Assistant General Manager of ANSAA, Engr. Chika Ngobili, announced that all political parties, candidates and support groups intending to embark on outdoor campaign activities must first obtain official permits from the agency before deploying campaign materials or organizing related promotional activities.
The directive covers rallies, billboards, posters, branded vehicles, public address systems, banners and other forms of outdoor political promotion across the state.
According to Ngobili, the move became necessary to prevent indiscriminate use of public spaces, curb visual pollution, protect government infrastructure and guarantee fairness among political actors seeking access to advertising locations within Anambra.
He explained that the permit system would also help government authorities coordinate campaign activities and maintain professional advertising standards throughout the election period.
Under the newly approved guidelines, presidential candidates and political parties are expected to pay N50 million for campaign advertising permits within the state, while senatorial candidates will pay N20 million.
Candidates contesting for the House of Representatives are to pay N5 million, while House of Assembly candidates will pay N1.5 million.
Similarly, chairmanship candidates are expected to pay N2.5 million, while councillorship candidates will pay N100,000.
Ngobili noted that the permits grant political parties and candidates legal access to approved locations for campaign displays and outdoor promotional activities within their respective electoral areas.
He further emphasized that all campaign materials intended for public display must first receive clearance from the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) before deployment.
According to him, no political party, candidate or support group is permitted to erect billboards or advertising structures independently without going through duly registered and licensed advertising practitioners recognized by ARCON and authorized by ANSAA.
“We expect that all campaign materials intended for outdoor display by political parties, candidates and support groups must be vetted and approved by ARCON before deployment,” he stated.
He warned that any individual or organization found violating the guidelines would face sanctions in line with the laws of Anambra State.
The agency also disclosed that enforcement teams would monitor compliance throughout the campaign season to ensure adherence to approved standards.
Beyond regulation, ANSAA used the opportunity to appeal to political parties and their supporters to embrace peaceful democratic conduct by refraining from destroying or defacing opponents’ campaign materials.
Ngobili described such acts as unlawful and contrary to the spirit of democratic competition.
Political analysts believe the new guidelines may generate debate among stakeholders, especially regarding the high permit fees for major political offices.
While supporters of the policy argue that it will bring sanity and professionalism to campaign advertising, critics may view the charges as financially burdensome for smaller parties and less financially endowed candidates.
Nonetheless, the development underscores the growing role of state regulatory agencies in shaping the conduct, organization and visibility of political campaigns in Nigeria’s evolving democratic landscape ahead of 2027.
Tags
ANSAA, Anambra Politics, 2027 General Election, Political Campaigns, Campaign Advertising, ARCON, Chika Ngobili, Outdoor Advertising, Election Guidelines, Anambra State, Political Parties, Nigeria Politics, Billboards, Campaign Permit, Democratic Process
