Court Strikes Out ₦150m Billboard Levy on Enugu Opposition Parties
The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a ₦150 million campaign billboard levy imposed on political parties in Enugu State, in a ruling that gives opposition parties a reprieve ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In its judgment, delivered on Thursday, October 8, the court held that while the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ENSSAA) has a statutory mandate to regulate outdoor advertising, the financial impositions should not be enforced until after the 2026/2027 general elections.
The case was brought by a coalition of opposition parties challenging a policy requiring political parties to pay a levy before putting up campaign billboards and posters. The plaintiffs argued that the policy was unconstitutional, would stifle opposition voices and placed an excessive financial burden on rival parties.
The originating summons, dated June 15, 2026, was jointly filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP), along with their respective state chairmen. They were represented by counsel Barr. Ike Ozor.
The defendants were 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.
The plaintiffs asked the court to determine whether ENSSAA and the Enugu State Government, under Governor Peter Mbah, had the legal authority to impose the fees on political parties for campaign advertisements.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court struck out the levy on campaign billboards and posters pending the conclusion of the 2027 general elections.
