Sowore labels Alex Otti ‘massive scam’ over ₦200m billboard permit fee

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has criticised Abia State Governor Alex Otti over the state’s newly announced political campaign advertising permit fees, describing the governor as a “massive scam.” Sowore made the remark in a post on his X handle on Thursday while reacting to the Abia State Government’s decision to charge presidential candidates ₦200 million for campaign billboard permits ahead of the 2027 general election. Otti has become one of Nigeria’s biggest political disappointments. @alexottiofr is a massive scam, and the full extent of that scam is still unraveling,” Sowore wrote.

Otti has become one of Nigeria's biggest political disappointments.@alexottiofr is a massive scam, and the full extent of that scam is still unraveling. pic.twitter.com/LkUjQEN8dK— Omoyele Sowore (@sowore) July 30, 2026 The criticism followed an announcement by the Abia State Structures for Signages and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA) during a Stakeholders Forum on Political Campaign Advertising Fees held on Wednesday. Speaking at the forum, the agency’s Head of Department, Strategy, Innovation and Design, Ndubuisi Nwaogwugwu, said the approved permit fees would apply to all political parties and candidates seeking to advertise during the electioneering period.

According to him, presidential candidates will pay ₦200 million, while governorship candidates will be required to pay ₦150 million. He added that senatorial candidates would pay ₦100 million, while candidates for the House of Representatives and State House of Assembly would pay ₦50 million and ₦20 million, respectively. “The schedule of Political Campaign Advertising Permit Fees contained herein has been approved by the Government of Abia State and apply throughout the approved election campaign period,” Nwaogwugwu said.

He explained that the fees were based on the provisions of the Abia State Structures for Signages and Advertising Agency law and other state laws regulating signage and outdoor advertising. The post Sowore labels Alex Otti ‘massive scam’ over ₦200m billboard permit fee appeared first on Vanguard News.