ADC Enugu rejects N150m political campaign advertising fee, citing unconstitutionality and threatens court action if government does not rescind it
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Enugu State has rejected the mandatory N150 million political campaign advertising permit imposed by the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertising Agency (ENSSAA) for the 2026 local government and 2027 general elections.
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In a statement issued on Tuesday, ADC Enugu described the fee as unlawful, unconstitutional and undemocratic, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to bar opposition parties from participating in the upcoming elections.
The fee, announced by ENSSAA General Manager Francis Aninwike via Governor Peter Mba’s media office, is intended to cover the deployment of campaign materials, including banners, branded vehicles, T-shirts, handbills, and to permit street campaigns and rallies.
ADC Enugu argued that advertising falls under the Exclusive Legislative List in the 1999 Constitution and that only the National Assembly has the authority to enact laws in this regard.
The party cited a February 13, 2026 statement from the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), which clarified that state signage agencies do not have jurisdiction over political advertising.
The opposition party accused Governor Mba’s administration of using the fee to intimidate opponents and remove the competitive element from elections, contending that the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are the only bodies empowered to regulate campaigns.
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ADC Enugu has threatened to pursue legal action if the state government fails to rescind the permit fee, stressing that the people must be allowed to elect leaders in a free and fair environment without financial or administrative harassment.
