CRISSAA Fixes N150m, N100m For Presidential, Governorship Political Adverts
By Ekanem Asuquo
The Cross River State Signage and Advertisement Agency, CRISSAA, has introduced new rates for political billboards and campaign advertisements as political parties begin preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The agency said the tariff was intended to bring greater order to political advertising in the state, promote issue based campaigns and ensure that all campaign materials meet established regulatory standards.
The Director General of CRISSAA, Ubong Sam, disclosed the new rates at an interactive session with members of the Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, in Calabar.
Sam explained that political parties and candidates seeking to erect billboards or display other forms of campaign advertising would be required to submit their materials to the agency at least 21 days before installation for screening and approval.
He said presidential campaign advertisements had been fixed at N150 million, while governorship advertisements would attract N100 million.
The rate for senatorial campaign advertisements was put at N50 million, while candidates for the House of Representatives and State House of Assembly would pay N25 million and N5 million respectively.
According to Sam, the charges were determined after consultations with relevant stakeholders and were designed to reflect current economic realities.
“Our rates are moderate and reflect present economic realities. We arrived at them in synergy with critical stakeholders. It is not targeted at anyone and is meant to allow multiparty campaigns towards the 2027 elections,” he said.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter Party Affairs, Nkoyo Otu, described the rates as reasonable and encouraging.
Otu appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct their campaigns with mutual respect and understanding, saying peaceful electioneering remained essential as the 2027 polls approach.
The IPAC Chairman in Cross River State, Engr. Effiong Edet, said opposition parties were comfortable with the rates, particularly in comparison with charges imposed in some other states.
Edet urged political parties and candidates to comply with the regulations governing political advertising in the state, noting that adherence to the rules would help promote a peaceful political environment.
However, the Labour Party state chairman and its 2023 governorship candidate in Cross River State, Ogar Osim, appealed for a downward review of the charges.
Osim agreed that the rates were relatively moderate but said further reduction would make political participation more accessible, especially given the economic challenges confronting residents and political actors in the state.
The meeting attracted the APC State Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Inyang, who represented the party chairman, Rt. Hon. Chris Etta, alongside representatives of several political parties in the state.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, did not attend the engagement.
