Doris Ogala Challenges New ₦150m Campaign Fee in Abia

Doris Ogala, the governorship candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC) in Abia State, has rejected the new ₦150 million fee for campaign advertising permits. She challenged officials to take down her billboards if she refuses to pay the fee.

Ogala, who is also an actress, made these comments during her visit to the Abia State Structures for Signages and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA) on Thursday. She criticized the new policy as an attack on democracy and accused the state government of using rules to frustrate opposition candidates.

ABSSAA announced that governorship candidates must pay ₦150 million for a campaign advertising permit. Presidential candidates will pay ₦200 million, senatorial candidates ₦100 million, House of Representatives candidates ₦50 million, and state House of Assembly candidates will pay ₦20 million.

The agency stated that these fees are non-negotiable and apply to all political parties. They explained that the policy aims to regulate outdoor political advertising, ensure public safety, and provide fair access to campaign spaces as the 2027 elections approach.

However, this announcement has raised concerns that these fees could push smaller parties and candidates with less money out of outdoor advertising during the election period.

During her visit, Ogala questioned why such a high fee was necessary. She said she cannot afford it and believes it is an attempt to silence opposition candidates. She said, "People are dying in the hospital, workers are crying; their salaries have not been paid. And you’re imposing ₦150 million for a candidate. Where will I get the money from? Do I have a godfather who has stolen government funds?"

Ogala added, "I should pay ₦150 million. I dare anybody to try to touch my billboard. We can’t pay with that billboard in this state. This is targeted at me. Otti is afraid of me. While the current administration boasts about human capital development and creating an enabling environment, the reality on the ground tells a completely different story."

She urged Governor Alex Otti to withdraw this new directive, warning that if it stays, candidates might have to stop using billboards altogether. She believes this fee will stop ordinary people from joining the democratic process.

"Demanding an exorbitant fee of ₦150 million for a state permit does not empower our youth or help economic growth; it deliberately shuts the door on ordinary citizens and entrepreneurs while systematically extorting political rivals."

Ogala also said, "Democracy thrives on a level playing field where the people freely choose their leaders, not on state-sanctioned financial barriers designed to eliminate competition. It will not stand. Otherwise, all of us will campaign without a billboard."

She pointed out that the timing of the directive is bad, given that many people are struggling. "When we have people in the hospital, in the streets, homeless? What are we talking about, these pensioners, whom the governor himself has paraded online, saying that he has paid their arrears?"

Ogala emphasized that many people are hungry and questioned why ABSSAA issued such a statement. She visited the agency to confirm if the directive was real.

AAC’s presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, also criticized Otti on Facebook. He wrote, "Alex C. Otti has become one of the biggest political disappointments in Nigeria. Alex Otti is a massive scam, and the full extent of that scam is still unravelling."

In response to Ogala's concerns, the Head of the Department of Administration at ABSSAA said that a stakeholders’ meeting was held where the directive was discussed. "There was a stakeholders’ meeting. You people were invited. It happened yesterday. All political parties were invited. The news is right. It’s from the government. The state government approved it," the official stated.

PREMIUM TIMES could not get an immediate response from the Abia State Government about Ogala’s claim that the policy targets opposition candidates.