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From Mokwugwo Solomon, Awka

The Managing Director of Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA), Mr. Tony Odili Ujubuonu has called out the All Progressives Congress (APC) for allegedly violating the state campaign advertising laws ahead of the 2025 gubernatorial election.

The Managing Director made the call at the agency head office in Awka, Anambra State while speaking at a press coference. Ujubuonu said the briefing was to update journalists on its enforcement of out-of-home advertising guidelines for political campaigns.

According to him, five out of the 16 registered political parties in the state have so far complied with the campaign regulations and paid the mandatory permit fees. These parties include the Young Progressive Party (YPP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Labour Party (LP), Action Alliance (AA) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

He noted that they have been granted official campaign permits and unrestricted access to use out-of-home advertising spaces across the state.

He added that while other parties chose alternative campaign platforms such as social media, radio and television to avoid breaching advertising laws, the APC has deliberately ignored the rules.

“Despite failing to obtain the required campaign permit, APC went ahead to engage in unauthorized promotional activities. They branded vehicles, hoisted banners, installed unapproved billboards and distributed campaign materials without following due process or vetting by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON).”

The ANSAA boss also confirmed that the agency has formally reported the alleged assault of its Chief Enforcement Officer, Engr. Chika Ngobili, by APC operatives while on official duty. He stressed that ANSAA would continue to take all lawful steps to protect its mandate and personnel.

Ujubuonu, however, assured all law-abiding political parties that the agency will ensure their cooperation with ANSAA is not taken for granted, reiterating the agency’s commitment to upholding fairness and due process.

He added that ANSAA had explored every civil and administrative option to engage with APC and urged the public to disregard any disinformation being spread by the party.

The agency also called on political parties, candidates and supporters to avoid violence, provocation, and unprofessional conduct in their campaign activities, urging all stakeholders to adhere strictly to state advertising laws as the election season intensifies.