Spread the wordThe Abia State Government has introduced a new political campaign advertising permit regime that will require candidates contesting elective offices to pay millions of naira before displaying billboards, posters and other outdoor campaign materials across the state. The permit rates were announced at a Stakeholders Forum on Political Campaign Advertising Fees organised by the Abia State Structures for Signages and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA), bringing together government officials, advertising practitioners and political stakeholders. According to him, presidential candidates will pay N200 million for campaign advertising permits, while governorship candidates will pay N150 million. Ememanka assured political parties that Governor Alex Otti’s administration would not discriminate against any candidate or political party in implementing the policy. Political parties question legalityPolitical parties also expressed reservations over the legal basis for the charges.