The Federal High Court in Abuja has delivered a judgment in a suit by opposition political parties challenging the N150m campaign billboard levy imposed by the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ENSSAA).
The judgment, delivered on Thursday, October 8, 2026, followed a suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, Nigeria Democratic Congress and Social Democratic Party, alongside their respective state chairmen.
The plaintiffs had challenged the legality of the levy, arguing that the charges were excessive and could restrict opposition parties’ ability to advertise during the 2027 general election campaigns.
However, reports on the judgment differ on the effect of the court’s final orders, making it necessary to establish the precise terms of the ruling before concluding whether enforcement of the levy has been suspended.
The plaintiffs had questioned whether ENSSAA and the Enugu State Government, led by Governor Peter Mbah, had the legal authority to impose the disputed charges on political parties for campaign billboards and posters.
The originating summons, dated June 15, 2026, was filed through their counsel, Barrister Ike Ozor.
The defendants included ENSSAA, its General Manager, Francis Aninwike, the Enugu State House of Assembly, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria and the Nigeria Police Force.
