The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Enugu State has condemned the N150 million political campaign advertising permit fee imposed by the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertising Agency (ENSSAA) on parties and candidates participating in the 2026 local government and 2027 general elections.
Describing the fee as unlawful, unconstitutional, and undemocratic, the opposition party accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of inventing the fee to block opposition participation in the elections.
The fee, announced by ENSSAA General Manager Francis Aninwike through Governor Peter Mba’s media office, is intended to regulate outdoor advertising and environmental aesthetics across the state’s 17 local government areas. It covers campaign materials such as banners, branded vehicles, T-shirts, handbills, and permits for street campaigns and rallies.
In a press release on Tuesday, Enugu ADC’s media team, led by Paul Anigbogu, argued that advertising falls under the Exclusive Legislative List in the 1999 Constitution, meaning only the National Assembly has authority to legislate in this area. The party cited a February 13, 2026, statement by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), which cautioned that state signage agencies lack constitutional powers to demand or approve advertisements, including political campaigns.
Enugu ADC warned that it would go to court to challenge the fee if the state government does not rescind the “illegal and unconstitutional” financial burden on political parties.
The party further accused Governor Mba and the APC government of using undemocratic tactics to intimidate opposition parties, noting that financial encumbrances would skew elections in favour of the ruling party and undermine free and fair competition.
ADC also emphasised that the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are the statutory bodies empowered to regulate campaigns and electoral activities, not ENSSAA or any other agency.
The party vowed to use all lawful means, including legal action, to prevent government impunity and ensure citizens can freely choose their leaders in a transparent electoral process.
