The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Enugu State has formally rejected a N150 million mandatory permit fee for political campaign advertising, calling the directive unlawful and an attempt to exclude opposition voices from upcoming elections. The fee was announced by the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertising Agency (ENSSAA) for all parties and candidates in the 2026 local government and 2027 general elections.
ENSSAA General Manager Francis Aninwike stated the fee aligns with the agency’s statutory duty to regulate outdoor advertising and maintain environmental aesthetics across the state’s 17 local government areas. He explained the payment would authorise the use of campaign materials such as banners, branded vehicles, T-shirts, handbills, and the conduct of street rallies.
In a sharp rebuttal, the Enugu ADC Media Team described the fee as unconstitutional and undemocratic. The party cited a February 2026 statement from the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), which asserted that advertising regulation falls under the Exclusive Legislative List of the 1999 Constitution, placing it solely within the federal government’s purview. ARCON had specifically flagged Enugu and Ondo states for overreach by their respective signage agencies.
The ADC accused Governor Peter Mba’s administration—controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC)—of using financial barriers to intimidate opponents and create an uneven electoral playing field. The party argued that the ruling party, with access to state resources, faces no such burden, thereby undermining competition. It emphasised that electoral campaigns are regulated by the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) for local polls and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for general elections, not by a signage agency.
The ADC threatened legal action if the state government does not revoke the fee, stating it constitutes an illegal obstruction. The party vowed to use all lawful means to ensure elections are free and fair, free from harassment or financial encumbrances that could pre-determine outcomes.
This dispute highlights a growing tension between state-level regulatory agencies and federal authority over election processes. The ADC’s challenge, if pursued in court, could set a significant precedent on the constitutional limits of state powers in managing political campaigns ahead of critical elections in Enugu State.
