Opposition parties drag Enugu Govt to court over N150m campaign fee

A coalition of opposition political parties in Enugu State has instituted a suit at the Federal High Court, Enugu Judicial Division, challenging the legality of a directive requiring political parties and candidates to pay N150 million as an advertising permit fee before conducting campaign activities through billboards and posters ahead of the 2026/2027 elections.

 

The suit, filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and their respective state chairmen, names the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ENSSAA), its General Manager, Mr. Francis Aninwike, the Enugu State House of Assembly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), and the Nigeria Police Force as defendants.

 

According to the originating summons dated June 15, 2026, the plaintiffs are asking the court to determine whether ENSSAA and the Enugu State Government possess the constitutional authority to impose a mandatory N150 million advertising permit fee on political parties and candidates seeking to campaign through billboards during the 2026/2027 general elections.

 

The opposition parties argued that the regulation of election campaigns falls exclusively within the powers of INEC under the Electoral Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 

They further contended that advertising regulation is a matter reserved for the National Assembly and ARCON, making any state legislation or executive directive on political campaign advertising unconstitutional and beyond the powers of the state authorities.

 

Among the reliefs sought, the plaintiffs are asking the court to declare the ENSSAA directive unlawful, null and void, set aside the policy, and restrain the agency and the Enugu State Government from enforcing the payment of the N150 million fee.

 

They are also seeking an order compelling the Nigeria Police Force to protect political parties from alleged harassment or intimidation arising from the enforcement of the directive.

 

The suit was filed by legal practitioner, Ike Ozor on behalf of the plaintiffs.

 

The Federal High Court is expected to determine whether the controversial permit requirement violates constitutional provisions governing election campaigns and advertising regulation in Nigeria.

 

The legal challenge comes amid growing debate over the cost of political campaign and the role of state agencies in regulating election-related advertisements ahead of the 2027 electoral season.