The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has strongly criticised Abia State Governor Alex Otti over the state’s newly approved political campaign advertising permit fees ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sowore’s reaction followed the announcement that presidential candidates will pay ₦200 million to obtain permits for campaign billboards in Abia State.
Taking to his official X account on Thursday, the former presidential candidate did not hold back, describing Governor Otti as one of Nigeria’s biggest political disappointments.
“Alex C. Otti has become one of Nigeria’s biggest political disappointments. @alexottiofr is a massive scam, and the full extent of that scam is still unraveling,” Sowore wrote.
The controversial permit fees were announced during a Stakeholders Forum on Political Campaign Advertising Fees organised by the Abia State Structures for Signages and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA).
Speaking at the event, the agency’s Head of Department, Strategy, Innovation and Design, Ndubuisi Nwaogwugwu, explained that the approved fees would apply to all political parties and candidates who intend to display campaign advertisements during the official election period.
According to the agency, the approved fees are as follows:
- Presidential candidates: ₦200 million
- Governorship candidates: ₦150 million
- Senatorial candidates: ₦100 million
- House of Representatives candidates: ₦50 million
- State House of Assembly candidates: ₦20 million
Nwaogwugwu stated that the charges were approved by the Abia State Government and are backed by existing state laws regulating outdoor advertising and signage.
“The schedule of Political Campaign Advertising Permit Fees contained herein has been approved by the Government of Abia State and apply throughout the approved election campaign period,” he said.
The announcement has sparked debate on social media, with many Nigerians questioning whether the fees could place smaller political parties and candidates at a disadvantage ahead of the 2027 elections.
Source: Statements by Omoyele Sowore on X and the Abia State Structures for Signages and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA).
