The fee was announced on Monday by the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency, which directed that all parties and candidates must pay the amount before rolling out campaign materials, branding vehicles or mounting billboards
The African Democratic Congress has vowed to drag the Enugu State Government to court over a newly introduced N150 million advertising permit fee imposed on political parties ahead of the 2026 and 2027 elections.
The fee was announced on Monday by the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency, which directed that all parties and candidates must pay the amount before rolling out campaign materials, branding vehicles or mounting billboards.
The agency’s General Manager, Francis Aninwike, disclosed this during a management meeting at its headquarters in Enugu.
He said the directive aligns with the agency’s statutory responsibility to regulate outdoor advertising and maintain environmental aesthetics across the 17 local government areas of the state.
According to him, payment of the fee would authorise parties to deploy banners, branded vehicles, T-shirts and handbills, as well as conduct street campaigns and rallies.
The agency stated that every political party and candidate must obtain a campaign permit before engaging in any form of visual or outdoor promotion, stressing that the N150 million statutory fee is payable into the state government’s account.
Aninwike added that the measure is aimed at curbing visual pollution, safeguarding public infrastructure and ensuring professionalism during the electioneering period.
He warned that defaulters risk having their campaign materials removed and could face legal consequences.
The agency also cautioned supporters against vandalising opponents’ materials, describing such acts as undemocratic and punishable by law.
Reacting, the ADC Chairman for Igbo-Eze South and Chairman of Chairmen for Enugu North Senatorial Zone, Ugwu Izuchukwu, condemned the fee as draconian and an attempt to suppress opposition parties.
He accused Governor Peter Mbah’s administration of planning to dominate the state’s visual space with public funds while shutting out opposition through excessive charges.
Izuchukwu said the party would challenge the directive in court, arguing that imposing N150 million on parties and candidates for campaign activities is anti-democratic.
He maintained that branding vehicles and mounting billboards do not determine electoral victory, insisting that opposition parties would not be intimidated or forced out of the political space.
He added that the ADC would deploy all lawful means to resist the policy.
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