Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), says the high fees for political campaign billboards in Abia State are aimed at weakening opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, Okonkwo alleges that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is using the billboard fee structure to restrict opposition campaigning. He also questions Governor Alex Otti’s role, saying he is surprised Otti would allow himself to be used in what he describes as an APC agenda. Okonkwo cites the state’s announced charges as examples of what he calls deliberate stifling of democratic participation, including N200 million for presidential candidates and N150 million for governorship candidates. He argues that the scale of such fees across Nigeria would limit opponents’ ability to communicate with voters. The claims follow an announcement by the Abia State Structures for Signage and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA) setting these fees for campaign structures and billboards. Opposition parties have criticized the charges as excessive and potentially inconsistent with electoral spending limits.
ADC Chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo Alleges APC Sets High Abia Billboard Fees
Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), says the high fees for political campaign billboards in Abia State are aimed at weakening opposition parties ahead of the 2027 el...
- Kenneth Okonkwo (ADC) alleges the ruling APC is behind high campaign billboard fees in Abia State.
- He says Abia State sets N200 million for presidential candidates and N150 million for governorship candidates for billboards/campaign structures.
- Okonkwo claims the policy is intended to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections.
- He questions Governor Alex Otti’s involvement, saying the governor is being used by the APC.
- Opposition parties have criticized the fees as excessive and potentially conflicting with electoral spending limits.
Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has described the high fees imposed on political campaign billboards in Abia State as a deliberate strategy by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections.Okonkwo made the allegation on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily. He specifically accused Abia State Governor Alex Otti of allowing himself to be used by the APC to stifle opposition activities through the exorbitant charges.“It’s unfortunate that in Nigeria, the ruling party has made it impossible for the opposition to strive. In Abia State, you are hearing a huge amount for you to put up your billboards, N200 million for a presidential candidate,” Okonkwo said. He warned that if multiplied across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, the policy reveals a clear intent to undermine democratic participation. “Just an opportunity to advertise and tell Nigerians what you want to do. APC is a scourge that wants to destroy our democracy,” he added.Okonkwo expressed surprise at Governor Otti’s involvement, stating: “I’m surprised that Governor Otti will fall for that. As far as I’m concerned, that is an APC agenda using Governor Otti to make it impossible for the opposition political parties to campaign, and it’s really unfortunate.” The comments follow a recent announcement by the Abia State Structures for Signage and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA), which set N200 million as the fee for presidential candidates and N150 million for governorship candidates wishing to erect campaign structures and billboards in the state. Lower fees were also announced for other categories of candidates. Opposition parties have widely criticised the fees as excessive and potentially in conflict with electoral spending limits.
4 hours agoA chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kenneth Okonkwo, has said that the imposition of N200 million and N150 million on presidential and governorship campaign billboards in Abia state is a pure handiwork of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. Okonkwo made this allegation on Friday when he appeared on Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’. He also […] Abia N150m campaign billboard fee, APC agenda against opposition – Kenneth Okonkwo
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