Enugu demands N150m fee to display political campaign materials

The Enugu State Structure for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ENSSAA) has introduced a mandatory N150 million advertising permit for political parties and candidates participating in the 2026 local government and 2027 general elections.

The agency’s General Manager, Francis Aninwike, announced the directive after a management meeting at the agency’s headquarters in Enugu on Monday.

According to a statement from the media office of Governor Peter Mbah, the policy is anchored on ENSSAA’s statutory responsibility to regulate outdoor advertising and maintain environmental standards across the state’s 17 local government areas.

Aninwike explained that the permit grants political parties and candidates the right to deploy campaign materials such as banners, branded vehicles, T-shirts and handbills, as well as organise street campaigns and rallies.

He stated that no political party or candidate would be allowed to display visual campaign materials without first obtaining clearance from ENSSAA and paying the statutory N150 million fee into the Enugu State Government account.

The agency said the measure is intended to curb visual pollution, safeguard public infrastructure and uphold professional standards during the electioneering period.

Aninwike warned that any political group that fails to comply would have its campaign materials removed and could face legal consequences.

He further clarified that only practitioners registered and licensed by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria are authorised to manage billboards or campaign structures within the state.

The ENSSAA boss also dismissed concerns about potential bias, stressing that the guidelines would apply equally to all candidates, including incumbents.

He noted that Governor Peter Mbah had adhered to the state’s advertising regulations in both past and current official engagements.