By Chinwendu Uzoatu
The Anambra Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA), has issued an update on the implementation of the out-of-door home promotions and visual campaign guidelines for political parties, for the Anambra State Gubernatorial Election, 2025.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Tony Odili Ujubuonu announced this while addressing journalists on Tuesday, August 5 during a press conference at the agency’s headquarters in Awka.
He explained that the stipulated campaign fee of 50 million naira and other guidelines were designed to ensure orderliness, fairness and aesthetic responsibility throughout the electioneering period.
However, the ANSAA boss revealed that five out of the sixteen registered political parties have complied with the guidelines by paying the campaign fee. They are: Young Progressive Party (YPP), African Democratic Congress(ADC), Labour Party (LP), Action Alliance (AA) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
He commended the political parties and assured them of the agency’s support.
Ujubuonu, deeply regretted that one Party, All Progressive Congress (APC), has deliberately violated the law. That despite refusing to obtain the mandatory campaign permit they have processed to engage in unauthorized promotional activities like erecting posters, branding vehicles among other things.
He decried the fact that despite issuing two formal demand notices to the party with two months intervals, along with final legal reminder and grace period, the party ignored all the correspondences.
He reported that some individuals suspected to be APC supporters resorted to violence, to obstruct an official ANSAA team on lawful assignment in Nri, Anaocha Local Government Area. He stressed that ANSAA has formally reported the incident to the Nigeria Police.
Ujubuonu pointed out that APC is a highly respected political party that has given the country a highly respected President, who is progressive and law-abiding. “We are suprised 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 said.
He, however, called on Ndi Anambra and the general public to disregard the disinformation being circulated by the political party, and vowed to take all lawful steps necessary to uphold the integrity of the agency.
The ANSAA MD/CEO also explained the controversy surrounding the removal of a YPP campaign billboard at Unizik junction, Awka. He said that the agency acted in consultation with YPP, since according to him, the billboard was structurally faulty and posed a public safety hazard, adding that it was later reinstalled after repairs and due process.
The Chief Enforcement Officer, Engr. Chika Ngobili, who led the enforcement operation in Nri supported Ujubuonu’s account of what happened.
“They beat us, collected our phones and even tried to seize our vehicle key. They also threatened to burn us inside the van,” he narrated.
The ANSAA boss called for a peaceful campaign and election, pointing out that: “It is a campaign to assist Ndi Anambra fulfill 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 campaigns. Let us approach it in the true spirit of Anambra – with peace, mutual respect and dignity.”
