Imo ADP gov candidate criticizes Uzodimma over N54m billboard fee

Dr. Kachi Nwoga, the Action Democratic Party’s candidate for governor, has criticized the Imo State Advertisement and Signage Agency for charging political parties N54 million to install campaign billboards before the November 11 election.

The ADP candidate called the advertisement fee excessive and mocked Imo Governor Hope Uzondimma for not allowing opposition parties in the State to breathe.

A copy of Nwoga’s letter, headlined “Petition Against N54m Campaign Levy Imposed on All Opposition Parties by Hope Uzodimma-led Imo Government,” which was addressed to the national office of the Inter-Party Advisory Council was provided to press.

The Imo politician voiced concern to reporters on Monday in Abuja that Uzodimma would gain an edge before the governorship election on November 11 by frustrating opposition parties.

The opposition cannot breathe, he declared. I am unable to go and set up a billboard today because, by the time they tell me I must spend N54 million to do so, 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, horrifying, and sinful. They are requesting payment for that from the opposition.

“And I want to question because the entire state, from top to bottom, is covered with billboards for one specific person, if this is the cost of billboards. I really want to know how much the state has made from that one guy.”

Nwoga’s letter came in response to a circular sent out by Chibuzor Umunnakwe, the general manager of the IMSAA, advising all political parties taking part in the upcoming governorship election to obtain permissions prior to building political billboards, out-of-home displays, and supplementary materials.

Despite the letter’s June 7 date, the agency insisted that the pricing, terms, and conditions were in place as of April 1.

Political candidates who want to use outdoor or public displays must obtain, complete, and submit the IMSAA application for outdoor political campaign advertisement form, according to the letter.

“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 shall pay the applicable fees as set forth below upon approval of the form’s content. Candidates will get a compliance confirmation letter from the agency if the IMSAA deems all processes satisfactory.

The application form fee, according to Umunnakwe, is N100,000. The “governatorial Campaign Permit charge” is N54,000,000.

According to him, the site inspection price for campaign approval is N50,000 and applies to billboards that the candidate created rather than those that were rented; the approval charge is N150,000.