Anambra State government bans Soludo, others from displaying campaign posters without payment of N50M

By Okechukwu Onuegbu

As campaign kicked-off for Anambra State November 8, 2025 gubernatorial poll, State Signage and Advertising Agency (ANSAA), on Wednesday, prohibited contestants, political parties and supporters from displaying posters and other campaign materials without first paying a sum of N50,000,000.

The N50m, according to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, ANSAA, Mr Tony Ujubuonu, is a statutory fee for outdoor advertising purposes and grants the contestants right to deploy their campaign materials such as posters, branded vehicles, among others.

He stated this in a press conference held at his office in Awka, Anambra State capital, noting that political parties and support groups could equally make the one-off payment on behalf of the contestants otherwise they would not be allowed to display their campaign materials in any part of the State.

According to him, the agency has duly informed all the political parties and their candidates, including governor Chukwuma Soludo of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and they would equally inform the public as soon as those involved comply accordingly.

“We wish to formerly inform all political parties and candidates participating in the 2025 gubernatorial election of the mandatory requirement to obtain a campaign permit from ANSAA before commencing campaign activities that require visual promotions and rallies. The purpose of this permit is to ensure orderliness, prevent visual pollution, create a level playing ground for all and maintain professional standards in the use of public advertising and visual promotion space and above all, to protect our public infrastructures.

“The permit comes with a statutory fee of N50,000,000 only payable to the Anambra State government account. This campaign fee grants the parties right to deploy their campaign materials and activities using posters, public address systems, branded vehicles, banners, fliers, buntings, T-shirts, caps, street storms, rallies and sundry in locations across the cities, villages and communities,” he added.

He, however, urged the contestants and political parties to ensure their advertising materials, including billboards and structures were vetted and installed at appropriate places inline with the directives of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON).

“Only advertising practitioners registered and licensed by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON)- a federal government agency – are authorised to erect and manage such structures within the State, as permitted by ANSAA. We advise all political parties and candidates to work with ARCON registered practitioners to avoid sanctions or removal of unapproved materials.

“It is a campaign to assist ndi Anambra fulfil their civil duty and not a do or die affair. We urges all candidates, their supporters and the general public to avoid violence, provocation and any form of unprofessional conduct as it relates public promotion, advertising and campaign. Let us approach it in the true spirit of Anambra with peace, mutual respect and dignity,” he added.