Governorship candidate in the upcoming Anambra state election, Chief George Moghalu of the Labour Party and his campaign organizers described the N50m advert levy imposed on candidates contesting the election as extortion.
In a statement released on Thursday, the campaign organisation said it rejected the decision. According to the statement signed by Dr. Ikenna Agu, Director, Media and Publicity “The George Moghalu Campaign Organisation (GMCO) condemns in the strongest possible terms the outrageous and undemocratic imposition of a N50 million campaign billboard fee by the Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA), under the directive of Governor Charles Soludo’s administration.
”This illegal directive is nothing short of a well-calculated attempt to muzzle opposition voices, entrench tyranny, and commercialize our democracy to serve the narrow interests of the ruling party”
”The action by ANSAA, which demands an extortionist N50 million from each of the 16 governorship candidates before they can legally advertise their campaigns, is a shameful assault on the fundamental democratic principles of fairness, inclusivity, and equal opportunity”
”This illegal levy is a direct attack on our democracy and must be resisted by all well-meaning Anambrarians and lovers of freedom”
”Let it be made clear: Governor Soludo and his agents cannot use state power to gag other candidates. They cannot use financial roadblocks to eliminate competition. They cannot hold democracy hostage in Anambra”
They demanded for the immediate reversal of what they tagged “oppressive directive” stating that If the Soludo government has any respect for democratic values, it should allow all candidates to access campaign infrastructure on an equal and affordable basis, as guaranteed under the electoral laws and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The George Moghalu Campaign Organisation called on INEC and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), civil society organisations, and the international community to intervene swiftly and hold Governor Soludo’s government accountable for what they see as an “abuse of power”
