Ondo govt opens payment window for political campaign signage permits

By Precious Oluwole 

The Ondo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OSSAA) has announced the commencement of payment for political campaign permits ahead of the forthcoming electioneering activities across the state.

In a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Signage and Advertisement, Yomi Oyekan, the agency warned that it would commence strict monitoring and enforcement across the state, urging all stakeholders to comply fully with the directive and stressed that the directive is final and non-negotiable.

The agency directed all political aspirants to approach it to obtain the required permits and make full payment before the erection, installation, display or circulation of any campaign signage or visual campaign materials anywhere within the state.

It disclosed that the approved permit fees are ₦2m for senatorial aspirants, ₦1.5m for House of Representatives aspirants and ₦1m for House of Assembly aspirants.

The agency stressed that no aspirant or political group is permitted to deploy campaign materials without full payment and express approval, warning that any campaign material deployed without authorisation would be removed immediately, while the defaulter would face sanctions in line with existing regulations.

It also stated that full campaign building branding, including wall wraps, façade branding and total building takeovers, is subject to compulsory evaluation, inspection and written approval by officials of the agency prior to deployment, adding that unauthorised building branding would not be tolerated.

According to the statement, all payments must be made directly into the designated government account with Access Bank, account number 1629479154, with the account name, Ondo State Signage and Advertisement Administrative Charges Account.

The agency added that proof of payment must be presented to it for verification and issuance of the appropriate permit before any deployment is allowed.