By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

As the 2025 Anambra State governorship election kicks off in the state Wednesday, 11th June, the 16 political parties contesting the election have been instructed to pay a whooping sum of 50 million naira each for billboards or do away with campaigning in the state.

Making the disclosure to journalists in Awka on Wednesday, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Anambra State Signage and Advertising Agency (ANSAA), Mr Tony Ujubuonu, said the new policy is not targeted at any political party, but across board.

Ujubuonu stressed that there would be consequences if the State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo fails to heed the order.

He explained that the campaign fee grants the parties the right to deploy their campaign materials and activities using posters, public address system, branded vehicles, banners, fliers, among others in location across the cities,

The ANSAA boss added, ’The same applies to the candidates of other political parties in the state.

“The permit comes with a statutory fee of Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000) 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 in location 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, create a level playing ground.”

He further stated that the agency was created by Anambra state government in 2010 and established by Law for the purpose of regulating the use of out-of-home advertising structures, control outdoor structures.

If the political parties heed to the payment, the total sum for the agency will be 800 million naira.

At the time of filing this report, no candidate of any political party has reacted to the fee payment.