The African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate for the November 8 Anambra State election, Chioma Ifemeludike, alongside her supporters, staged a peaceful protest at the Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA) office in Awka.
The demonstration was sparked by the ₦50 million campaign fee imposed by ANSAA on all officially recognised political parties, a move Ifemeludike described as discriminatory and exclusionary.
Addressing the protesters, Ifemeludike expressed her dissatisfaction over ANSAA’s “blatant disregard” for her candidacy, highlighting that she had neither received a circular nor an exemption notice regarding the fee.
“The letter was reportedly issued on June 11, but I only became aware of it today. This lack of communication reflects a dangerous mindset that a woman cannot lead Anambra State,” she said.
The AAC candidate called on the state government and ANSAA to ensure equal treatment for all registered political parties, regardless of gender, status, or political affiliation.
“All parties recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deserve equal respect and consideration,” she emphasised.
“I am in this race to restore the dignity of Anambra State. I will not be intimidated or left out,” Ifemeludike declared.
Several citizens who joined the protest urged the government to promote greater inclusion of women in politics and to eradicate gender-based discrimination.
They stressed that women remain the backbone of society and should be given due recognition in political participation. The protest march later proceeded to the old government house; however, no government official engaged with the demonstrators.
In response, ANSAA Managing Director Odili Tony Ujubuonu addressed the crowd, explaining that the ₦50 million fee applied only to political parties that received the official ANSAA circular.
He confirmed that letters notifying candidates of the payment requirement were sent to all other aspirants, including incumbent Governor Professor Chukwuma Soludo.
However, Ujubuonu noted that the status of women and youth aspirants was still under review, and as such, they had not yet received the circular.
Speaking to journalists in Awka after the protest, Ujubuonu defended the fee, describing it as essential for coordinating a legally compliant and organised visual campaign across 175 communities in the state.
He explained that the fee covers five months of sustained visibility through posters and banners in towns and villages — a cost that would be higher if billed individually.
“When you consider the charges we collect from regular citizens and others using the ‘Anyaora’ platform, you will see that politicians are attempting to bypass the system,” he said. “This fee is unique as it contributes directly to the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR), funding critical projects such as road construction and infrastructure development.”
ANSAA had earlier announced the ₦50 million permit fee as a mandatory prerequisite for all political parties wishing to engage in outdoor advertising during the election period.
According to Ujubuonu, payment of the fee grants candidates the right to deploy campaign materials such as posters, public address systems, branded T-shirts, flyers, buntings, and other promotional tools statewide.
To date, only the Young Progressives Party (YPP) candidate, Sir Paul Chukwuma, has reportedly paid the ₦50 million campaign.
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