Tunji Wusu –
The N54 million Campaign Billboard fee set by the Imo State government for political parties and governorship candidates has been criticized by Action Democratic Party, ADP candidate Dr. Kachi Nwoga as criminal, obscene, sinful, and obnoxious ahead of the November 11 Imo State gubernatorial election.
Nwoga, who has raised the alarm that Imo State is no longer safe for anyone, particularly those in the opposition, has bemoaned the fact that residents can no longer breathe there.
Speaking with journalists on Monday in Abuja, the ADP candidate pleaded with the people to remain hopeful and not give up despite the humiliation and security difficulties. She also urged the State government to permit the people of the state to vote for the candidate of their choice.
The opposition is not allowed to breathe, Nwoga declared. I am not able to go set up a billboard today because they are asking me to spend N54 million naira to do so, which means I am unable to do so.
“I don’t know of any state anywhere where someone can charge this much money, even if you have to convert it to dollars. It’s offensive, horrible, and sinful. They are requesting payment for that from the opposition.
“And I intend to ask, given that the entire state, from top to bottom, is covered with billboards for one specific person, how much the State has made from that one person,” she continued.
The ADP candidate further claimed that state officials were seizing opposing political parties’ branded vehicles in the State because they lacked a permission for gubernatorial advertisements.
The Imo State administration, through the Imo Signage and Advertisement Agency, IMSAA, levied a N54 million fee on opposition parties as advertising and signage displays for governorship campaigns, according to letters made available to journalists.
In a letter dated June 7, 2023, the agency’s general manager, Hon. Chibuzor Umunnakwe, informed the major political parties taking part in the State’s upcoming governorship election.
According to the letter, which was addressed to the agency and was titled “Schedule of rates and terms for political advertising and ancillary signage displays in Imo State for gubernatorial campaigns,” political parties that wish to erect billboards or conduct any other kind of campaign must submit an application.
Despite the letter’s June 7th date, the agency insisted that the prices, terms, and conditions for all forms of political advertising, out-of-home distribution of campaign materials, and ancillary goods for state gubernatorial elections took effect on April 2, 2023.
Political candidates who intended to use outdoor or public displays were instructed in the letter to obtain, complete, and submit the IMSAA application for outdoor political campaign advertisement form.
“The form or a separate document attached should list all potential billboard locations, including those that are for rent. These would be considered temporary constructions if the candidate or the candidate’s supporters were going to build the locations.
Candidates will pay the necessary fees as shown below once the form’s content has been approved.
Candidates will receive a compliance confirmation letter from the agency “if IMSAA finds all processes satisfactory.”
UmunnakWe stated that the application form charge is N100,000 whereas the “gubernatorial Campaign Permit fee N54,000,000.”
The agency also informed opposing political parties that the permit was non-transferable and would expire 30 days after the election.
The agency stated, “Before erecting an advertisement structure, posting or displaying any political advertisements or messaging in Imo State, all candidates who have been nominated by their respective parties to run for elected posts must acquire a permit from IMSAA.
“The permit enables the candidate to post political messages in Imo State’s authorized locations. The permit must only be used during a political election campaign and is only valid for 30 days after the election for which it was issued.
