Abia 2027: Gen Ijioma Challenges Otti Over N150 Million Signage Fee

Major General Ijioma Nwokoro Ijioma (retd.), the governorship candidate for the Action Peoples Party (APP) in Abia State, Nigeria, has vehemently challenged Governor Alex Otti's administration over a reported N150 million signage fee imposed on governorship candidates for the 2027 election. Ijioma described the fee as excessive and illegal, threatening legal action if the policy is not rescinded. He argued that such charges could stifle political participation and create an unfair electoral playing field. At a press conference in Umuahia, Ijioma detailed the alleged fee structure: N150 million for governorship candidates, N100 million for senatorial hopefuls, N50 million for House of Representatives candidates, and N20 million for State House of Assembly aspirants. He asserted that the Abia State House of Assembly has not passed any law authorizing these fees, branding the governor's imposition as an attempt to restrict the political space in Abia. "I want to make it clear here and now that that very policy is condemnable. I condemn it in its totality and it will not stand," he declared. Ijioma further questioned the substantial increase in the fee, pointing out that Governor Otti himself reportedly paid only N10 million for signage during his 2023 governorship campaign. "How can somebody who paid a paltry N10 million for the same signage fee come and say it will be N150 million in 2027?" he asked. He warned against the misuse of public office to limit political engagement, emphasizing that Abia State belongs to its people, not any single administration. "Nobody that is a governor owns the state. You are holding the reins on behalf of the people and you cannot get there and begin to lord it over the people. It is reprehensible," Ijioma stated. The APP candidate indicated that his party would pursue judicial intervention if the government fails to retract the policy. "If he doesn’t heed to caution, this party that I’m holding the governorship ticket of will take the government of Abia State to court to show us the Act of Parliament that empowered it to bring such an obnoxious and vexatious policy to scuttle democracy in Abia State," he vowed. While acknowledging that Governor Otti has performed better than some previous administrations in certain aspects, Ijioma criticized the administration's publicity efforts, suggesting that media hype surrounding its achievements far exceeds the actual performance.

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I want to make it clear here and now that that very policy is condemnable. I condemn it in its totality and it will not stand.