By Oluwatobi Omotosho
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Enugu State has condemned the imposition of a mandatory ₦150 million political campaign advertising permit fee by the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertising Agency (ENSSAA), describing it as illegal, unconstitutional, and undemocratic.
The opposition party alleged that the fee, announced for political parties and candidates participating in the 2026 local government elections and the 2027 general elections, is a strategy by the ruling party in the state to suppress opposition participation.
According to the ADC, the development suggests fear of a free and fair contest, accusing the state government of resorting to “undemocratic tactics” to frustrate political opponents.
The directive, announced by ENSSAA General Manager Francis Aninwike through the governor’s media office, requires political parties to pay the fee before deploying campaign materials such as banners, branded vehicles, T-shirts, handbills, and for conducting street campaigns and rallies across the 17 local government areas of the state.
In a statement signed by Paul Anigbogu on behalf of the Enugu ADC Media Team, the party maintained that the fee is unlawful, arguing that advertising is listed under the Second Schedule of the Exclusive Legislative List in the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which it said places regulatory authority solely under the National Assembly.
The ADC further accused the Enugu State Government of attempting to usurp federal powers through the imposition of the fee.
