By Pamela Eboh
Ahead of the kick off of campaigns for the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, the Anambra State government has banned the use of posters on bridges and road demarcations in the state.
It also banned the pasting of campaign posters on street light poles; round-about and other public buildings.
A statement by the MD/CEO of Anambra Signage and Advertising Agency, ANSAA, Tony Odili Ujubuonu, and made available to journalists in Awka said such materials in advert forms like posters, public address system, banners, fliers, bunting, T-shirts, caps and sundries must be fully paid for and approved by the government authority before it will be displayed for public consumption.
It also directed that payment for poster pasting should be made to the government revenue account before pasting anywhere, warning that politicians who default in the payments will face legal prosecution.
The statement partly read: “As campaign for 2023 general election officially commences next month, September; Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA), in charge of all forms of Advertising in the state wishes to bring some important information to your notice.
“That posting of posters on bridges, road demarcations; street light poles, round-abouts and public buildings remain prohibited.
“That every campaign material and advert forms such as posters, public address systems, Banners, Fliers, Buntings, T-shirts, caps and sundries must be duly approved for after full payment of the requisite fee.
“That every billboard must be displayed through a registered advertising practitioner after the advertising content has been vetted by the APCON.”
The government further mandated Presidential candidates to pay N10, 000,000; Senatorial Candidate N7, 000,000; Federal House of Representatives N5, 000,000; and State House of Assembly N1, 000,000 in orther to be eligible to paste their campaign posters round the state.
Statutory costs for out of home media and mobile advertising were put at N100,000 for 48 sheets billboards, N500,000 for Spectacular billboards, N500,000 Gantry displays; N100,000 for Irregular shaped billboard; N50,000 for branded vehicle; and N5,000 for Keke rear branding, respectively.
