Opposition political parties in Imo State has kicked against the N54 million ‘Permit fee’ candidates are mandated to pay before they will be allowed to campaign for the forthcoming November 11 governorship election in the state.
The Chairman of the opposition parties comprising of Accord Party, PDP, Labour Party, APGA, Action Alliance, ADC, NNPP, SDP, YPP, ADC, and APP, raised the alarm over the fee imposed on them in a press conference in Owerri, on Saturday.
The parties operating under the aegis of Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC-G12, said the opposition fee is an attempt to stifle opposition parties and ensure that only the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, thrives in the state.
In a document titled “Schedule of Rates and Terms for Political Advertising and Ancillary Signage Displays in Imo State for Gubernatorial Campaigns 2023” that was presented to newsmen and allegedly came from the Imo Signage and Advertisement Agency, IMSAA, and was signed by its General Manager, political parties are required to apply for a permit with the payment of N54 million before erecting campaign structures, including billboards, posters, and other campaign means.
Additionally, it required candidates to pay N100,000 as a form/processing cost, N50,000 for a site inspection, and N150,000 as an approval fee.
Speaking on behalf of the parties, the Chairman of IPAC-G12, Chief Uchendu Ahaneku, called the practice offensive and a violation of Nigeria’s constitution as well as the Electoral Act.
Ahaneku, therefore, appealed to Governor Hope Uzodimma to call the agency to order, adding that IPAC-G12 will not be hesitant to take the state government to court if it does not reverse the decision.