Opposition parties in Cross River State have rejected tariffs imposed by the state’s signage and advertising agency on political parties seeking to display campaign posters and banners across the state.
The Coalition of Opposition Political Parties (COPP), comprising 12 political parties and others, conveyed its objection to the Cross River State Signage and Advertisement Agency (CRISSAA) in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The coalition described the proposed charges as excessive, anti-democratic and capable of restricting political participation ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to COPP, CRISSAA is demanding N150 million for presidential campaign advertisements, N100 million for governorship candidates, N50 million for senatorial candidates, N25 million for House of Representatives candidates and N5 million for House of Assembly candidates.
The coalition argued that the fees were disproportionate and could place opposition parties and less financially endowed candidates at a significant disadvantage.
“Democracy thrives when political parties are able to compete on the strength of their ideas, programmes, competence and acceptance by the people — not on the depth of their financial resources,” the parties said.
COPP said political advertising was an important component of democratic participation because it enables parties and candidates to communicate their policies, programmes and messages to voters.
It warned that the proposed charges could disproportionately affect opposition parties, independent-minded candidates and other citizens seeking to participate in the political process.
The coalition also demanded clarification from CRISSAA on the legal and regulatory basis for the tariffs, the methodology used to determine the amounts and why political parties were not consulted before the charges were introduced.
It further sought details on the services and duration covered by each fee, warning that the proposed tariff regime could create an uneven political playing field ahead of the 2027 elections.
The opposition parties called on the Cross River State Government and CRISSAA to immediately suspend and review the proposed charges pending consultations with registered political parties and other stakeholders.
They urged the agency and the state government to engage political parties in constructive dialogue rather than implement measures that could heighten political tensions.
COPP also called on civil society organisations, professional bodies, religious organisations, youth and women groups and other stakeholders in Cross River to demand what it described as a transparent, equitable and accessible political environment ahead of the 2027 elections.
