Opposition political parties in Enugu State have condemned the N150 million advertising fee imposed by the state government for campaign billboards in the state.
Speaking on Tuesday in Enugu, the parties described the action as not only outrageous but undemocratic.
The state Chairperson of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mrs Stella Chukwuma, said the policy was a way to shut out the opposition.
“When you say that somebody should pay as much as N150 million to place campaign on a billboard, then one begins to wonder what the government aims to achieve.
“We are not comfortable with it; it is not only a way of stopping the other parties but it’s also a way of stopping individuals that want to contest elections,’’ she said.
According to her, there are youths and people with disabilities who desired to contest election, which is their rights and obligations as citizens.
“But when you place this kind of advert rates for campaigns, it’s just a way of telling them that, your ambition is good but we are not giving you a chance. That is not good; it is unfair and undemocratic.
She said that the ADC would mobilise against the policy and challenge it in line with the law.
“I don’t know about other opposition parties but for us we are going to fight it; we are going to contest it; we are going to resist it.
“We will not sit by and allow them block us; this is political robbery, ” she said.
Similarly, Chief John Nwobodo, Esq, a chieftain of the Accord Party and a constitutional lawyer said the imposition of N150 million advertising fee for political campaigns was undemocratic.
”It is anachronistic, undemocratic and it is targeted at the opposition parties,’’ he said.
Nwobodo, who is also a human rights activist, explained that political campaigns were not part of advertising because it does not have commercial utility.
“Campaigns don’t have economic values; so, the government needs to reconsider its stand.
“Also, the Enugu State Structures and Signage Agency (ESSSA), does not have the powers to impose advertising fees for political party campaigns,” he said.
The constitutional lawyer said by law, it was the LGAs that control outdoor advertisements in their domains, adding that the law establishing ESSSA does not include control of political patties.
“It is the responsibility of INEC to control and direct political parties activities.
“Public campaigns are activities associated with elections and they are unique; so the action is unlawful and illegal and will surely be challenged in court.
In the same vein, the only opposition member in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Mr Harrison Ogara, described the advertising fees as outrageous and targeted against the opposition.
“I don’t know what they want to achieve with that, but that is outrageous.
“The party in power should rethink about that law and ensure that every party is given equal level playing grounds, which is the beauty of democracy,” he said.
Ogara, who is representing Igboeze South state constituency on the platform of the Labour Party (LP), urged the government to dialogue with the opposition to arrive at a more acceptable ground.
The Enugu State Structures and Signage Agency (ENSSSA), on Monday, announced a N150 million advertising rates fee to be paid by aspirants of any political party wishing to use billboards in the state.
