2026,2027 Polls: ENSSAA Slams ₦150m Mandatory Campaign Advert Permit on Parties, Candidates
The Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ENSSAA) has fixed a mandatory advertising permit fee of ₦150 million for all political parties and candidates participating in the 2026 and 2027 local, state and federal elections in the state.
The General Manager of the agency, Mr Francis Aninwike, disclosed this on Monday during a management meeting held at the agency’s headquarters at the New State Secretariat Complex, GRA, Enugu.
Speaking on the theme, “Outdoor Promotion and Visual Campaign Guidelines for 2026 and 2027 General Elections,” Aninwike said the directive was in line with ENSSAA’s statutory mandate to regulate outdoor advertising, ensure environmental aesthetics and promote lawful conduct of campaign activities across the 17 local government areas of the state.
He explained that the ₦150 million permit grants political parties and candidates the right to deploy campaign materials and undertake visual promotions across urban and rural areas. These include rallies, banners, branded vehicles, T-shirts, caps, handbills, buntings and other forms of street campaigns.
According to him, “Every political party and candidate must obtain a campaign permit from ENSSAA before deploying any form of visual campaign or outdoor promotional materials. The statutory fee for the permit is ₦150 million, payable to the Enugu State Government account.”
Aninwike said the measure was designed to prevent visual pollution, ensure a level playing field for all contestants, maintain professional standards in outdoor advertising and safeguard public infrastructure.
He warned that parties or candidates who fail to comply with the directive would have their campaign materials removed and may face legal sanctions.
The ENSSAA boss further clarified that only practitioners registered and licensed by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) are authorised to erect and manage billboards or campaign structures within the state.
“No individual, political party or support group is permitted to erect billboards or advertisement structures in any part of Enugu State without going through licensed ARCON practitioners as permitted by ENSSAA,” he stated.
The agency also cautioned political actors against defacing opponents’ campaign materials, describing such acts as undemocratic and punishable under the law.
Dismissing allegations of possible selective enforcement, Aninwike maintained that the guidelines would be applied uniformly to all political parties and candidates, including incumbents. He added that Governor Peter Mbah has consistently complied with advertising regulations in both his campaign and official promotional activities.
He urged political parties and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully and responsibly, stressing that elections should not be treated as a “do-or-die affair,” but as a democratic process through which citizens exercise their civic rights.
Aninwike wished all parties success in their preparations for the forthcoming elections and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to maintaining order and professionalism in outdoor advertising across Enugu State.
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication with Second Class(Upper Division) at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
