N150m campaign billboard: Court strikes out fine imposed on opposition parties in Enugu State
A N150 million campaign billboard fine imposed on political parties in Enugu State, has been struck out by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
The court described the levy as unfair and against the principles of free and fair political participation.
The judgement has been described as a major victory for the opposition.
In the judgment delivered on Thursday 8th October, the court held that while the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ENSSAA) has the statutory mandate to regulate outdoor advertisement, such financial impositions should not be enforced until after the 2026/2027 general elections.
The suit was instituted by a coalition of opposition parties challenging the policy that mandates political parties to pay a huge levy before deploying campaign billboards and posters.
The plaintiffs argued that the policy is unconstitutional, designed to stifle opposition voices and place an excessive financial burden on rival parties.
The originating summons dated June 15, 2026, was jointly filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), alongside their respective state chairmen.
They were represented by Counsel, Barr. Ike Ozor. Joined as defendants in the suit are:
1. Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ENSSAA)
2. General Manager of ENSSAA, Mr. Francis Aninwike
3. Enugu State House of Assembly
4. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
5. Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON)
6. Nigeria Police Force
The plaintiffs had asked the court to determine whether ENSSAA and the Enugu State Government under Governor Peter Mbah have any legal authority to impose such exorbitant fees on political parties for campaign advertisements.
After hearing arguments from both parties, the court struck out the fine on campaign billboards and posters pending the conclusion of the 2027 general elections.
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