SUNTV Global Channel | June 20, 2026
A coalition of opposition political parties in Enugu State has dragged the state government to court over a controversial policy requiring political parties to pay ₦150 million before displaying campaign billboards and posters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Enugu, challenges the policy introduced by the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ENSSAA), which opposition parties describe as unconstitutional, discriminatory, and designed to suppress political competition.
The suit was jointly filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and their respective state chairmen.
The parties argue that regulating election campaigns falls exclusively under the authority of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as provided by the Electoral Act and the Constitution. They also maintain that advertising regulation is a federal responsibility overseen by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), making the state government’s directive unlawful.
Among the reliefs sought, the opposition parties are asking the court to nullify the ₦150 million campaign permit fee and permanently restrain the Enugu State Government and its agencies from enforcing the policy.
The plaintiffs are also seeking protection from the Nigeria Police Force, expressing concerns that security agencies could be used to intimidate opposition candidates and supporters during the enforcement of the directive.
The legal battle has intensified political tensions in Enugu State, with critics warning that excessive campaign charges could limit political participation and undermine the democratic process ahead of the 2027 elections.
The court is expected to determine whether the state government has the legal authority to impose such fees on political parties seeking to engage voters through outdoor campaign advertisements.
