ADC Rejects ₦150m Election Advert Permit Fee Imposed by Enugu Govt, Threatens Legal Action

The African Democratic Congress has vowed to challenge the Enugu State government in court over the imposition of a mandatory ₦150 million advertising permit fee for political parties ahead of the 2026 and 2027 elections.

The party’s position followed a directive issued on Monday by the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency requiring all parties and candidates to pay the fee before deploying campaign materials, branding vehicles, or mounting billboards.

Reacting to the development, the ADC Chairman for Igbo-Eze South and Chairman of Chairmen for Enugu North Senatorial Zone, Comrade Ugwu Izuchukwu, described the charge as a “draconian” move aimed at suppressing opposition voices.

Izuchukwu alleged that the administration of Governor Peter Mbah intended to use state resources to dominate public advertising spaces while pushing rival parties out of the political arena.

“They want to use that to scare opposition political parties away so that they can win, but those antics will not hold water,” he said. “As a party, we are ready to challenge this in court because you cannot impose ₦150 million on political parties and their candidates before they can campaign or brand their vehicles. This is anti-democratic.”

He further accused the state government of attempting to monopolise billboard spaces across the state, insisting that such tactics would not determine electoral outcomes.

“Governor Peter Mbah wants to use the money to scare opposition away so they can erect billboards across the state with state resources. But erecting billboards or branding vehicles does not win elections. He can put up as many billboards as he wants, but he will fail because of anti-people policies,” Izuchukwu said.

The ADC chieftain added that opposition parties would not be intimidated or forced out of the political space.

“We are not slaves in Enugu State; we have equal rights. We cannot run away because we are in opposition. We will use every legal means available to stop what they have announced today,” he stated.

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