The Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), Anambra State Branch, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ban the imposition of outrageous campaign signage fees by state governments.

In a statement signed by Chairman Evangelist Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, Secretary Comrade Chidi Mbah, and Comrade Damian Ogudike, CLO described reports of states demanding up to N150,000,000 from presidential candidates as "an anathema" and a threat to democracy.

"If every state adopts such an inhuman fee, the majority of qualified Nigerians will be shut out of contesting for the highest office," the group said.

CLO warned that high campaign costs fuel corruption.

"The more money spent to win, the greater the desperation to recoup it, to the detriment of citizens," it stated. The organization noted that no government has imposed such fees since 1979.

CLO demanded that INEC stipulate enforceable spending limits for campaigns, sanction states that impose signage fees, and conduct free, fair and credible elections to restore public confidence.

"Desperation to increase IGR should not destroy our democracy. The love of money is the root of all evil," CLO added.