Political Parties to Pay ₦150m for Campaign Ad Approval in Enugu

The Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ENSSAA) has set a ₦150 million permit fee for political parties and candidates seeking to run outdoor campaigns ahead of the 2026 local government and 2027 general elections.

The General Manager of the agency, Francis Aninwike, announced the decision during a management meeting at ENSSAA headquarters in Enugu on Monday.

According to a statement from the media office of Peter Mbah, the fee aligns with the agency’s mandate to regulate outdoor advertising and manage public spaces across the state’s 17 local government areas.

Under the directive, political actors must obtain a campaign permit before deploying any visual materials. The approval covers banners, billboards, branded vehicles, T-shirts, handbills, street campaigns and rallies. Payment is to be made into the Enugu State Government account.

ENSSAA said the measure is intended to control visual clutter, safeguard public infrastructure and enforce professional standards during the election period.

The agency warned that materials displayed without approval would be removed, and violators could face legal consequences.

Aninwike added that only practitioners licensed by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) are authorised to handle billboards and related advertising structures in the state. Political parties and support groups are barred from erecting campaign structures outside this framework.

Responding to concerns about fairness, the agency maintained that the rule applies to all candidates, including those in office. It stated that Governor Peter Mbah has adhered to the state’s advertising regulations in his official and political activities.

ENSSAA also urged supporters to avoid tampering with opponents’ materials, noting that defacement of campaign property is punishable under the law.