The Cross River State Signage and Advertisement Agency (CRISSAA) has introduced new tariffs for political billboards and campaign advertisements ahead of the 2027 general elections, pegging presidential campaign adverts at N150 million and governorship adverts at N100 million.

The agency said the new rates were designed to regulate political advertising, promote issue-based campaigns and ensure compliance with established standards.

The Director-General of CRISSAA, Mr Ubong Sam, disclosed this during an interactive session with members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Calabar.

Sam said political parties and candidates intending to erect billboards or deploy other forms of campaign advertising in the state must submit their materials to the agency at least 21 days before installation for screening and approval.

According to him, senatorial campaign advertisements will attract N50 million, while candidates for the House of Representatives and State House of Assembly will pay N25 million and N5 million, respectively.

He explained that the tariffs were arrived at after consultations with relevant stakeholders and were intended to reflect current economic realities.

“Our rates are moderate and reflect present economic realities. We arrived at them in synergy with critical stakeholders. It is not targeted at anyone and is meant to allow multiparty campaigns towards the 2027 elections,” Sam said.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter-Party Affairs, Mrs Nkoyo Otu, described the rates as reasonable, urging political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct their campaigns with mutual respect and understanding.

She said peaceful electioneering would be essential as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 polls.

Similarly, the IPAC Chairman in the state, Engr. Effiong Edet, said opposition parties were comfortable with the tariffs, particularly when compared with charges imposed in some other states.

Edet urged political parties and candidates to comply with regulations governing political advertising, saying adherence to the rules would contribute to a peaceful political environment.

However, the Labour Party chairman in the state and its 2023 governorship candidate, Mr Ogar Osim, called for a downward review of the tariffs.

Osim, while acknowledging that the rates were relatively moderate, argued that further reductions would make political participation more accessible, particularly in view of the prevailing economic challenges confronting residents and political actors in the state.(Tribune)