Enugu political campaign advertising fee
Enugu State has introduced a N150 million advertising fee for political campaigns, a move that has generated reactions from political actors, civil society and election watchers as the country prepares for national and state polls. The new policy, unveiled by the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), requires political candidates and parties to obtain advertising clearance before engaging in any billboard, online, broadcast or print campaign promotions within the state. (punchng.com)
Under the fees schedule, political parties and aspirants must pay the Enugu political campaign advertising fee of N150 million before they can legally publish campaign posters, billboards, advertorials, radio jingles or television advertisements targeted at Enugu audiences. ENSIEC said the levy is intended to regulate political advertising, ensure fairness and mitigate the “chaos of uncoordinated promotions” often seen in highly charged election seasons.
The announcement has ignited debate in political quarters, with supporters saying it will bring order to campaign messaging and critics warning that it could limit democratic participation, especially for grassroots candidates with limited resources.
What the Enugu political campaign advertising fee policy entails
ENSIEC made the policy public through an official notice signed by the Commission Chairman, Prof. Patrick O.E. Uzor, and published in Enugu last week.
The policy stipulates that the Enugu political campaign advertising fee applies to:
• Outdoor advertising (billboards and posters)
• Radio and television adverts
• Digital and social media promotions focused on Enugu State
• Sponsored content and advertorial placements
Candidates and parties are required to obtain an advertising clear-to-publish certificate before any political campaign material can be displayed, broadcast or shared within the state.
According to the documents, failure to pay the Enugu political campaign advertising fee before publication could result in removal of the materials and legal sanctions by state authorities.
Senatorial candidates, governorship aspirants and House of Assembly contenders alike are subject to the same fee structure, which ENSIEC says is uniformly applied to all political entities wishing to campaign within the state’s jurisdiction.
https://ogelenews.ng/enugu-political-campaign-advertising-fee
Why Enugu introduced the advertising fee
Officials from ENSIEC explained that the policy aims to:
• Regulate campaign advertising during the build-up to general elections
• Ensure messages comply with existing electoral laws
• Prevent overcrowding of public spaces with uncoordinated posters and billboards
• Create a transparent framework for advertising expenditure
Prof. Uzor, in defending the policy, said that political campaigns in recent years had often overwhelmed the state with unregulated advertising that damaged public infrastructure and cluttered public spaces.
He said the Enugu political campaign advertising fee was introduced partly to recover costs associated with ad regulation and enforcement and to encourage more responsible political communication.
Reactions from political actors
The introduction of the Enugu political campaign advertising fee has drawn mixed reactions.
Some political stakeholders, particularly aspirants who enjoy strong financial backing, described the fee as a necessary regulatory step that would bring discipline to electioneering activities and promote equal visibility for all candidates, irrespective of party size.
However, grassroots politicians and opposition voices criticised the fee as burdensome and potentially undemocratic, warning that a N150 million threshold could shut out smaller parties and independent aspirants.
A former local government chairperson in Enugu, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Ogele News that Enugu political campaign advertising fee of N150m may “reduce competition and silence voices that cannot meet the financial threshold.”
Another political actor, a youth activist, argued that the fee disproportionately targets young and emerging leaders who lack deep war chests, negatively affecting political inclusivity.
Civil society perspectives
Civil society organisations have also weighed in on the Enugu political campaign advertising fee decision.
Some NGOs concerned with electoral fairness questioned whether a flat fee of N150 million for political advertising could inadvertently favour well-funded contenders and limit the diversity of voices in public debates.
They said that while regulation of advertising is understandable, the high cost could constitute a barrier to free participation.
A human rights advocate in Enugu told Ogele News that “like any right, freedom of expression and political participation must not be conditioned on unaffordable levies.”
Legal and constitutional considerations
Legal experts say the Enugu political campaign advertising fee policy is in a grey area that intersects electoral law, freedom of expression and state regulatory powers.
In Nigeria’s federal system, states have leeway to manage local affairs, but any regulation that affects political rights may invite judicial review if challenged.
Some constitutional law scholars suggest that while advertising regulation is permissible in the interest of order and public safety, imposing a fee that could limit effective participation might be contested.
The policy could potentially be challenged under sections of the constitution that guarantee political participation and freedom of expression.
Enforcement and implementation framework
ENSIEC said it will enforce the Enugu political campaign advertising fee through monitoring teams tasked with identifying unapproved materials.
The commission said it has established an online portal where candidates and political parties can apply for advertising clearance and pay the associated N150m fee.
Officials said the portal will standardise approval processes and streamline compliance reporting.
ENSIEC also warned that security agencies and local enforcement teams would assist in the removal of illegal campaign adverts not authorised under the new policy.
Implications for the 2027 elections
As Nigeria edges closer to nationwide polls, the Enugu political campaign advertising fee policy could influence how campaigns are conducted within the state.
The policy’s timing, amid heightened political mobilisation, suggests ENSIEC wants to set standards early to avoid election season chaos.
However, the fee may also influence campaign strategy, pushing parties toward alternative communication channels such as digital outreach, town hall forums, and targeted grassroots engagement.
Political analysts say the impact of the policy will depend on how it is implemented and whether exemptions or waivers are considered for smaller parties and independent candidates.
Broader national debate on political advertising regulation
The Enugu political campaign advertising fee touches on a broader national debate about the cost of campaigns and the role of money in politics.
Nigeria has no uniform national policy on political advertising fees, and approaches vary across states and jurisdictions.
Some observers say that without careful calibration, advertising regulations could unintentionally equate political visibility with financial capacity, undermining inclusive democratic processes.
Others argue that regulation of public advertising is necessary to preserve civic order, especially in densely populated urban centres.
Conclusion
The introduction of the Enugu political campaign advertising fee of N150 million marks a bold and controversial step in election management.
Supporters argue it brings discipline, order and fairness to political messaging, while critics warn that it could restrict participation and stifle competition.
As political actors and civil society continue to respond, the policy’s impact on democratic engagement in Enugu State will unfold over the coming election cycles.
https://punchng.com/enugu-imposes-n150m-advertising-fee-for-political-campaigns
