Anambra ADC Candidate John Nwosu Pays N50m Campaign Levy, Faults Policy

The governorship candidate of the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) for the upcoming Anambra State election, Mr. John Nwosu, has confirmed payment of the mandatory N50 million campaign levy imposed by the Anambra State Signage and Advertising Agency (ANSAA).

In a statement issued on Thursday, Nwosu disclosed that he had fully complied with the state’s requirement to enable him brand campaign vehicles and display other promotional materials.

“In compliance and furtherance of the rule of law, today the John Nwosu Campaign Organisation and the Africa Democratic Congress paid in full the assessed mandatory Fifty Million Naira required of governorship candidates to display political campaign advertisements in Anambra State,” the statement read.

However, the ADC candidate criticised the levy, describing it as anti-democratic and unfair to opposition candidates.

He argued that the policy gives undue advantage to the incumbent and curtails free speech.

“The political campaign advertisement levy, even with the best of intentions, does not avail candidates a level playing field. It is also meant to abridge free speech by executive fiat,” Nwosu said.

He further alleged that Governor Chukwuma Soludo, the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), had not complied with the same levy.

“It is noteworthy that the governorship candidate of APGA, Prof. Charles Soludo, and his running mate, who represent the ruling party enforcing the law, have not deemed it fit to comply with their own laws,” he stated.

“This is surely a failure to lead by example and a tendency to make Anambra State’s IGR generation punitive.”

Nwosu vowed to review such “prohibitive” laws if elected governor, promising to ensure fair electoral practices and a level playing field for all candidates.

He confirmed that his campaign team presented proof of payment to ANSAA officials, who acknowledged receipt and issued him a certificate of compliance.

Nwosu becomes the second candidate in the governorship race to fulfil the requirement after the Young Progressives Party (YPP) candidate, Sir Paul Chukwuma.