Opposition parties in Imo State have kicked against the N54 million levy slammed on candidates for the November 11 governorship election before they can campaign.
At a press conference in Owerri on Saturday, chairmen of opposition parties in the State raised the alarm over what they described as outrageous fee.
According to them, the imposition of the fee wis an attempt by the government to stifle opposition parties and ensure that only the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) thrives.
They are operating under the aegis of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC-G12) Imo State, comprising 12 political parties.
In a document presented to journalists, which purportedly emanated from the Imo Signage and Advertisement Agency (IMSAA) and signed by its General Manager; political parties are required to seek a permit with the sum of N54 million before erecting campaign structures, including billboards, posters and other campaign means.
The document titled ‘Schedule of Rates and Terms for Political Advertising and Ancillary Signage Displays in Imo State for Gubernatorial Campaigns 2023’, also mandated candidates to pay the sum of N100,000 as Form/Processing Fee; N50,000 for site inspection and N150,000 as approval fee.
The document also had a proviso that IMSAA reserves the right to reject approval for erection of campaign structures even after the payments.
The Chairman of IPAC-G12, Imo State, Chief Uchendu Ahaneku, described the policy as obnoxious and a violation of the Electoral Act and constitutional of Nigeria.
The parties urged Governor Hope Uzodimma to call the agency to order, adding that IPAC-G12 will not hesitate to drag the government to court if it fails to rescind the decision.
He also lamented that there has never been such muzzling of opposition parties in the history of the State.