By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA) has reaffirmed its regulatory stance on political campaign promotions in the state, as it updated the public on the level of compliance by political parties ahead of the 2025 Anambra Governorship Election. The agency also clarified its position on the recent controversial encounter between its enforcement team and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nri, Anaocha Local Government Area.
Addressing journalists during a press conference held at the agency’s Headquarters in Awka on Tuesday, the Managing Director/CEO of ANSAA, Mr. Tony Odili Ujubuoñu, gave a detailed overview of the implementation of the Out-of-Home Promotions and Visual Campaign Guidelines which the agency earlier unveiled in June.
According to him, the guidelines, which include a mandatory campaign permit fee of ₦50 million, were designed to ensure an orderly, aesthetic, and law-abiding electioneering environment across the state. He disclosed that five of the sixteen registered political parties had so far fully complied with the directive and were granted unrestricted access to the outdoor campaign spaces in Anambra State.
These parties and their payment dates, according to him, include: Young Progressives Party (YPP) — June 24, 2025; African Democratic Congress (ADC) — June 26, 2025; Labour Party (LP) — June 27, 2025; Action Alliance (AA) — June 27, 2025; and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) — July 2, 2025.
Ujubuoñu applauded these parties for complying with the law and reiterated ANSAA’s commitment to protecting their rights and privileges within the limits of its mandate. He also acknowledged that some political parties had opted for alternative campaign channels such as radio, television, and social media, which remains acceptable provided they do not violate Anambra’s out-of-home advertising laws.
However, he expressed deep concern over what he described as deliberate disregard for the guidelines by one political party —the All Progressives Congress (APC) which, he said, has neither paid the campaign permit fee nor shown any intention to comply. He said the party has, instead, continued to illegally erect campaign billboards, brand vehicles, hoist banners, and distribute promotional materials, all without due process or approval from ANSAA or the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON).
The ANSAA boss lamented that despite issuing two formal demand notices to the party within a two-month interval, along with a final legal reminder and grace period, the party ignored all correspondence. However, matters came to a head on August 1, when ANSAA officials on lawful enforcement duty in Nri were allegedly assaulted and threatened by individuals suspected to be APC supporters who manhandled them for dismantling illegal campaign materials in the area.
According to Mr. Ujubuoñu, the act was “well choreographed” to delay compliance and construct a false narrative, with a video released by the APC’s Deputy Governorship candidate attempting to mislead the public. He noted that contrary to the wrong narrative being peddled, the ANSAA team had no security escort with them during this enforcement, and was carrying out a peaceful enforcement operation when they were attacked, physically assaulted and forced to relinquish seized campaign materials.
“The incident in Nri was clearly choreographed,” Ujubuoñu stated, noting that while this incident was going on between the ANSAA team and the suspected APC supporters, a backdated letter from APC (dated July 28) was suddenly delivered to the ANSAA headquarters — at the exact time the altercation was taking place at Nri. He said the timing and the content of the letter, which attempted to raise objections over a fee already paid by other parties, appeared to be part of a calculated effort to evade responsibility and create a misleading narrative. He also emphasized that the letter even came more than 48 hours after the last grace period ANSAA gave to political parties had expired.
He revealed that the assault on ANSAA officials had been formally reported to the police, and the agency would pursue every legal avenue to protect its staff and mandate.
Ujubuoñu said it was regrettable that a party which produced Nigeria’s president could display such disregard for due process and rule of law in Anambra.
“All Progressive Congress (APC) is a highly respected political party that has given our country a highly respected president who is both progressive and law-abiding.
“We are surprised that in Anambra State, the party has fallen into the hands of brigands and deviants who think that civility is a culture for the weak and opt to employ violence and disregard for the law in carrying out their politicking,” he regretted.
“We call on the press and all well-meaning citizens to bear witness: ANSAA has explored every civil and administrative channel to engage this political party. We are now fully within our legal rights to enforce compliance, and we shall do so with the professionalism that our agency is known for,” Ujubuoñu declared.
Fielding questions from journalists, the ANSAA MD also addressed the controversy surrounding the removal of a YPP campaign billboard at UNIZIK Junction, Awka, despite the party’s full compliance. He explained that the said billboard was structurally faulty and posed a public safety hazard. He said the agency acted in consultation with the YPP Deputy Governorship Candidate and later reinstated the material after repairs and safety confirmation by an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) consultant. In his words, the billboard material was later restored after repairs, demonstrating the agency’s transparency and prioritization of public safety.
Ujubuoñu also used the opportunity to clarify that ANSAA does not guarantee the security protection of campaign materials but has a regular monitoring team to intervene on a humanitarian basis where necessary.
Also speaking, the Chief Enforcement Officer, Engr. Chika Ngobili, who led the recent enforcement operation in Nri, corroborated Ujubuoñu’s account on what transpired. He explained that the enforcement team, in their lawful duty, had removed some unapproved APC campaign materials before they were attacked by a mob.
“They beat us, collected our phones, and even tried to seize our vehicle key. They also threatened to burn us inside the van,” he recounted, adding that Even an attempted intervention by the Commissioner for Health was met with hostility, as the mob warned him to keep off or be harmed.
Engr. Ngobili maintained that their enforcement was in line with ANSAA’s mandate, as APC had not paid the campaign permit fee. He further stated that even the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) present during the incident made unsubstantiated claims that all parties had the right to erect campaign billboards wherever they want without restrictions. He (Engr. Ngobili), however faulted such claims, insisting that the law does not permit defaulting parties to flout the state’s advertising regulations. He re-emphasized that APC’s non-payment of relevant permit fee was the sole reason for the removal of their campaign materials.
While it was confirmed that no ANSAA staff was hospitalized, it was, however gathered that the team was seriously manhandled by the mob, the evidence and video of which the Agency said it has been submitted to the police, alongside official statement and petition, for formal investigation and necessary actions.
ANSAA reiterated its calls on all political parties and candidates to conduct their campaigns peacefully, lawfully and with spirit of brotherhood, stressing that the 2025 governorship election must not be reduced to a violent or chaotic contest. It further called for support of the media in ensuring a peaceful campaign process across the State.
“We repeat that this is a campaign among siblings. It is a campaign to assist Ndi Anambra fulfil their civic duty and not a do or die affair.
“We urge all candidates, their supporters, and the general public to avoid violence, provocation, and any form of unprofessional conduct as it relates to public promotion, advertising and campaign. Let us approach it in the true spirit of Anambra-with peace, mutual respect, and dignity,” the agency appealed.
“Let us remember: The strength of Anambra lies in our unity, discipline, and shared vision for a better future,” it concluded.
