But the AAC in the statement announcing the protest, described the fee as exploitative and undemocratic, arguing that it aims to stifle political participation and limit grassroots campaigns' ability to engage with the public.

The African Action Congress (AAC) Anambra State chapter has announced a peaceful protest for Friday, June 20, against the N50million fee for political campaign advertisements ahead of the November 8, 2025, governorship elections.

The Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA) had imposed a fee of N50million on each of the 16 candidates whose names had been released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the November governorship election in the state.

At a press briefing on the guidelines for political party campaigns for the Anambra State gubernatorial election 2025, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of ANSAA, Tony Ujubuonu, had said that payment of the amount is a mandatory requirement to obtain a campaign permit from ANSAA before commencing campaign activities that require visual promotions and rallies. 

“The permit comes with a statutory fee of N50,000,000 payable to the Anambra State government account. This campaign fee grants the parties the right to deploy their campaign materials and activities using posters, public address systems, branded vehicles, banners, fliers, buntings, T-shirts, caps, street storms, rallies and sundry in locations across the cities, villages and communities of the 21 local government areas of the state,” Ujubuonu had said.

But the AAC in the statement announcing the protest, described the fee as exploitative and undemocratic, arguing that it aims to stifle political participation and limit grassroots campaigns' ability to engage with the public.

In a statement issued on Thursday by Chimezie Uzoukwu, Media Director of the Chioma 2025 Campaign Committee, the party declared: "This fee seeks to stifle political participation and limit the ability of grassroots campaigns to engage with the public." 

Uzoukwu emphasised that the campaign stands for justice, transparency, and the people's right to be heard, and cannot remain silent in the face of economic disenfranchisement.

The protest according to the statement will take place at the office of the Anambra State Advertising Agency, calling supporters of democracy, activists, and members of the press to stand in solidarity and echo the call for fairness and equity.

The AAC Anambra chapter said it remains resolute in its vision for people-first governance in Anambra and rejects attempts to use state mechanisms to suppress alternative leadership voices.