A coalition of opposition political parties in Enugu State has approached the Federal High Court in Enugu to challenge the legality of a directive requiring political parties and candidates to pay ₦150 million as an advertising permit fee before displaying campaign billboards and posters ahead of the 2026/2027 elections.
The suit was jointly filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and their state chairmen.
Named as defendants are 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.
The plaintiffs argue that the regulation of election campaigns is the exclusive responsibility of INEC under the Constitution and the Electoral Act, while advertising regulation falls under the jurisdiction of the National Assembly and ARCON.
They contend that the ₦150 million permit fee is unconstitutional, unlawful, and an infringement on the rights of political parties to participate freely in the democratic process.
The opposition parties are asking the court to nullify the directive, restrain its enforcement, and prevent any form of harassment or intimidation arising from attempts to implement the policy.
Filed by legal practitioner Ike Ozor, the suit seeks judicial clarification on the powers of state agencies in regulating political campaign advertisements ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The case is expected to test the constitutional limits of state involvement in election-related advertising and could have significant implications for political campaigns in Enugu State and beyond.
