As reported by Premium Times on Thursday, July 30, 2026, Ogala voiced her opposition during a visit to the Abia State Structures for Signages and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA), where she directly confronted agency officials and questioned the reasoning behind the steep fee.
The former actress, now running for office, criticized the requirement as overly burdensome, warning it would disproportionately affect opposition candidates and hinder their ability to run competitive campaigns.
She argued that the policy went beyond regulation, potentially undermining democratic engagement by imposing a significant financial barrier on aspiring leaders.
Addressing agency representatives, Ogala stated, “I’m expected to pay ₦150 million? Let anyone try to remove my billboard—I dare them.”
She made clear she would not abide by the rule, calling the demanded sum unreasonable and unfeasible in the current economic climate. “There’s no way we can afford that kind of money here,” she said.
Ogala also claimed the policy was aimed specifically at her campaign, suggesting it was intended to suppress opposition voices before the election. “This is directed at me,” she asserted. “Otti is afraid of me.”
She emphasized that electoral rules should promote inclusion, not create financial hurdles for those seeking public office. To her, the high cost of outdoor advertising permits lacked justification and raised concerns about fairness.
“How can you expect serious candidates who want to serve to come up with such an amount just to put up a campaign sign? This harms democracy,” Ogala remarked.
She further cautioned against any effort to take down her campaign materials, vowing to push back against what she views as illegal actions.
“No one should think they can scare us out of this race. We have a constitutional right to campaign and let the people decide,” she said.
Ogala warned that such policies could deter qualified individuals from running, ultimately favoring only those with deep pockets and distorting the electoral process.
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