NEWS
JUST IN: Cross River Govt Raises Political Advertising Fees as Governorship Candidates Face ₦100m Billboard Tariff, ₦150m for Presidential Candidates
Political campaigns in Cross River State may become significantly more expensive ahead of the next election cycle following the introduction of new tariffs for the placement of campaign billboards and other political advertising materials.
The Cross River State Signage and Advertisement Regulatory Agency (CRISSAA) has announced that governorship candidates will be required to pay ₦100 million for political advertising, while senatorial candidates will pay ₦50 million.
Candidates contesting seats in the House of Representatives will be charged ₦25 million, while those seeking election into the State House of Assembly will pay ₦5 million under the new tariff regime.
The Director-General of CRISSAA, Ubong Sam, disclosed the new rates during an interactive session with members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Calabar, where he explained the agency’s position on the regulation of political advertisements across the state.
According to Sam, the tariffs were carefully determined and considered reasonable when compared with rates applicable in neighbouring states. He said the agency was also focused on ensuring that political advertising in Cross River remained orderly, professional and respectful of individuals and political parties.
“We have tried to regulate advert space, by not allowing anybody to insult the integrity of anybody or party, by being fair in all ramifications,” he said.
Beyond the new financial charges, CRISSAA also introduced a timeline for the removal of campaign billboards, posters and other political advertising materials following elections.
The agency directed political parties and candidates to remove their campaign materials within 30 days after election results are declared.
Sam explained that political advertisements left beyond the stipulated period would be treated as a nuisance and could attract regulatory action.
“Immediately after each election, at the expiration when results are announced, political parties are given 30 days to take off their campaign materials. Once it’s beyond 30 days, the advert materials become a nuisance,” Sam stated.
The directive means political parties will be expected to plan not only for the installation and maintenance of their campaign materials but also for their prompt removal once the electoral process has been concluded.
The new tariff has already generated mixed reactions among political stakeholders in the state.
The state chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Effiom Edet, reportedly expressed support for the charges during the engagement with CRISSAA.
However, not all political parties welcomed the development.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) strongly rejected the tariffs, describing the charges as excessive and potentially capable of limiting the ability of political parties to reach voters through billboard advertising.
The party’s spokesperson, Mike Ojisi, said: “The tariff is outrageous, exorbitant and a ploy to prevent other political parties from carrying out massive publicity through billboards. The tariff is totally unacceptable.”
The disagreement highlights the growing tension between the need to regulate outdoor political advertising and concerns among political parties over the cost of electioneering.
CRISSAA has warned that political parties, candidates and other advertisers who fail to comply with the new regulations could face sanctions.
According to the agency, violations may result in fines, the removal of unauthorised campaign materials and possible prosecution through the appropriate regulatory channels.
The development is expected to put political parties and prospective candidates on notice as preparations for future elections intensify in Cross River State, with the cost of political visibility now emerging as a significant consideration for candidates seeking to dominate the state’s public advertising space.