The Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA), has intensified enforcement of its campaign regulations, confirming it has generated ₦250 million in permit fees from five compliant political parties as the November 8, 2025 Anambra governorship election is fast approaching.
At a press briefing held on Tuesday at the agency’s headquarters in Awka, ANSAA Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Tony Ujubuonu, revealed that only five of the 16 registered political parties contesting the upcoming polls have fulfilled the mandatory ₦50 million campaign permit requirement.
The fee, introduced in June as part of the agency’s Out-of-Home Promotions and Visual Campaign Guidelines, grants political parties the right to engage in outdoor political advertising, including the use of billboards, banners, posters, branded vehicles, and other public campaign materials.
According to Ujubuonu, the parties in compliance are:
Young Progressives Party (YPP) – Paid on June 24
African Democratic Congress (ADC) – June 26
Labour Party (LP) – June 27
Action Alliance (AA) – June 27
All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) – July 2
“These five parties now enjoy unrestricted access to all approved outdoor campaign platforms across the state,” Ujubuonu stated.
He added that while some other political parties have opted for digital and broadcast media campaigns — a legally permissible alternative — one major political party, widely understood to be the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been in persistent violation of the guidelines.
ANSAA accused the APC of conducting widespread unauthorised promotional activities, including the erection of illegal billboards, distribution of campaign materials without clearance, pasting of posters, and branding of vehicles — all without the requisite permit or vetting from the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON).
“Despite receiving two formal demand notices over a two-month period — each allowing two weeks for compliance — and a final legal reminder with an additional one-week extension, the party refused to comply,” Ujubuonu disclosed.
The situation reportedly came to a head in Nri, Anaocha Local Government Area, where ANSAA enforcement officers were allegedly assaulted by supporters of the party while carrying out lawful duties. The agency has since lodged a formal complaint with the Nigeria Police.
“After ignoring all compliance notices, the party rushed in a backdated letter on August 1, claiming a dispute over the same campaign fee others have already paid. It was clearly a tactic to delay enforcement,” Ujubuonu said.
While expressing disappointment over the APC’s conduct in Anambra, Ujubuonu noted that the party remains a respected institution at the national level but warned against the actions of “brigands and deviants” within its state chapter.
“We urge the public to disregard the disinformation and narrative manipulation being peddled by this party. ANSAA has exhausted all civil and administrative avenues and will now enforce compliance through all lawful means,” he affirmed.
The agency emphasised that it remains committed to fairness, order, and professionalism. It called on all parties to conduct peaceful, law-abiding campaigns, whether through approved out-of-home platforms or other media channels.
“This election is not a war. It is a civic exercise among brothers and sisters,” Ujubuonu said. “We urge candidates, supporters, and the general public to avoid provocation, respect the law, and keep Anambra clean and safe.”
The press briefing was attended by over 40 media outlets, with ANSAA executives taking questions and reaffirming their commitment to transparency and regulatory integrity. Present at the event were senior agency officials including:
Mr. Chijioke Agbayim – General Manager
Mr Chika Ngobili – Assistant General Manager
Mr. Efobi Obinna – Executive Assistant to the MD
Mr. Ifeme Chukwuma Macdonald – Media Manager/PRO
Mr. Samuel Ilogu – Assistant Manager, Out-of-Home
Ujubuonu concluded by reaffirming ANSAA’s resolve to protect compliant parties, uphold its mandate, and ensure a level playing field for all contenders ahead of the November polls.