The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has threatened to take legal action against the Anambra State Government following a controversial policy requiring governorship candidates to pay a N50 million campaign permit fee ahead of the November 8 election.
The Anambra State Signage and Advertising Agency (ANSAA) had on Wednesday announced that all governorship candidates must obtain an advertisement permit worth N50 million. The permit, according to the agency, would allow candidates and their political parties to display campaign materials such as posters, branded vehicles, T-shirts, caps, and pamphlets.
However, the ADC has condemned the directive, describing it as an attempt to suppress opposition parties. Speaking at a press conference in Awka on Thursday, the party’s state chairman, Patrick Obianyo, accused the state government of stifling democracy and intimidating political challengers.
“This is unheard of and unfortunately, a policy coming from the same Soludo who contested in 2021 without paying such a fee. How can a political party pay N50 million just to distribute campaign materials?” Obianyo asked.
He described the move as unconstitutional and undemocratic, adding that while ADC could afford the fee, it would not comply with a policy designed to unfairly disadvantage opposition parties.
“If the state government refuses to withdraw this plan, we will challenge it in court,” Obianyo warned.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared 16 candidates for the upcoming election, including incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
The ADC’s strong opposition to the permit fee has sparked growing debate about the fairness and legality of the policy, with political observers calling on the Anambra government to reconsider the directive in the interest of free and fair elections.
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