A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has struck out the N150 million campaign billboard levy imposed on political parties in Enugu State, removing a major financial hurdle challenged by opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In its judgment delivered on Thursday, October 8, 2026, the court held that although the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ENSSAA) has statutory powers to regulate outdoor advertising, the disputed financial impositions should not be enforced against political parties until after the 2026/2027 general election cycle.
The ruling followed a legal challenge by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP), which questioned the legality of requiring political parties to pay substantial fees before displaying campaign billboards and posters.
The opposition parties argued that the levy placed an excessive financial burden on rival political groups and threatened to undermine their ability to communicate campaign messages to voters on equal terms.
Their originating summons, dated June 15, 2026, was jointly filed by the parties and their respective state chairmen, with Barr. Ike Ozor appearing as counsel.
The suit named ENSSAA, its General Manager, Mr. Francis Aninwike, the Enugu State House of Assembly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and the Nigeria Police Force as defendants.
At the heart of the dispute was whether ENSSAA and the Enugu State Government, under Governor Peter Mbah, could lawfully impose the disputed charges on political parties seeking to use billboards and posters for election campaigns.
While the state agency’s authority to regulate outdoor advertisements was acknowledged, the court’s decision placed a restriction on the enforcement of the contested financial requirements during the election period.
The judgment is a significant development in the debate over the cost of political participation, particularly for opposition parties that may have fewer financial resources than parties controlling government machinery.
Campaign billboards and posters remain important tools for political communication, allowing parties to publicise candidates, communicate policy positions and reach voters beyond rallies and digital platforms.
The plaintiffs had urged the court to intervene against what they considered an excessive financial barrier to electioneering. The court’s decision to halt enforcement of the disputed levy pending the conclusion of the 2027 general elections provides temporary relief to the parties involved.
However, the ruling, as described in the available account, does not establish that ENSSAA has lost its general statutory authority to regulate outdoor advertising. Rather, it limits the enforcement of the disputed financial impositions against political parties during the specified electoral period.
