The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out enforcement of the ₦150 million campaign advertising permit imposed on political parties and candidates in Enugu State until after the 2027 general elections.
The ruling followed a suit filed by a coalition of opposition parties challenging the legality of the fee introduced by the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ENSSAA) for political campaign advertisements.
The court, in its judgment delivered on Thursday, October 8, 2026, reportedly held that while ENSSAA has a statutory responsibility to regulate outdoor advertising, the financial requirement should not be enforced during the 2026/2027 election period.
The N150 million permit had been introduced by ENSSAA in February for political parties and candidates participating in the 2026 and 2027 elections. The agency said the permit covered outdoor campaign materials and visual promotions, including billboards, banners, branded vehicles, T-shirts, handbills and other campaign activities.
The opposition parties challenged the requirement, arguing that the fee imposed an excessive financial burden on political parties and could restrict participation in the electoral process.
The suit was instituted by the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, Nigeria Democratic Congress and Social Democratic Party, alongside their respective state chairmen.
They joined ENSSAA, its General Manager, Francis Aninwike, the Enugu State House of Assembly, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria and the Nigeria Police Force as defendants.
The plaintiffs, represented by counsel Ike Ozor, had asked the court to determine whether ENSSAA and the Enugu State Government had the legal authority to impose the N150 million charge on political parties for campaign advertising.