As the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State approaches, the Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA) has issued a stern warning to political parties violating the state’s N50 million campaign permit requirement.
The permit fee, mandated by ANSAA, grants parties the right to engage in outdoor campaign activities such as erecting billboards, placing posters, branding vehicles, and hoisting banners across the state.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday in Awka, ANSAA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Tony Ujubuonu, revealed that only five of the 16 registered political parties contesting the election have fulfilled the requirement.
The compliant parties, according to Ujubuonu, include the Young Progressives Party (YPP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Alliance (AA), Labour Party (LP), and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), with APGA being the most recent to comply on July 2.
However, he criticised several other parties for deliberately flouting the regulations, singling out one major party without naming it for persistent noncompliance and unlawful campaign activities.
“Despite failing to obtain the required permit, the party has continued to plaster posters, brand campaign vehicles, hoist banners, hold rallies with promotional materials, and even mount billboards at unapproved sites without clearance from the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON),” Ujubuonu stated.
He also recounted a recent incident in Nri, Aniocha Local Government Area, where ANSAA enforcement officers were reportedly obstructed and assaulted by supporters of the unnamed party.
“Our officials were attacked while carrying out their lawful duties. Prior to this, the party had received two demand notices each with a two week compliance window followed by a legal reminder and an additional week’s grace,” he said.
Ujubuonu noted that after the deadline elapsed, the party submitted a backdated letter on August 1 citing a fee dispute an action ANSAA viewed as an attempt to stall enforcement.
“Although we acknowledged the letter, it was submitted after the expiration of the grace period, leaving us with no choice but to proceed,” he added.
He confirmed that the incident had been formally reported to the police, and the agency would pursue lawful measures to uphold its mandate.
“ANSAA has exhausted all civil and administrative options. We are now fully within our legal rights to enforce compliance and will do so with professionalism,” Ujubuonu declared.
He stressed the importance of maintaining a level playing field, stating that only parties operating within the law deserve public trust in the electoral process.
Ujubuonu also acknowledged that some political parties have opted to use platforms such as radio, television, and social media to promote their campaigns an approach the agency considers lawful, provided it does not infringe on out of home advertising regulations.
Also speaking, ANSAA’s Assistant General Manager, Chika Ngobiri, recounted how his enforcement team narrowly escaped an attack while attempting to enforce compliance in Nri.