Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, alongside his party, has taken the Abia State Government and Governor Alex Otti to court over an alleged ₦200 million campaign advertising fee imposed on presidential candidates seeking to display campaign materials in the state.
The suit, marked HC/214/2026, was filed before the High Court of Abia State, Umuahia Judicial Division, through the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Musibau Adetunbi, SAN. Other defendants include the Abia State Attorney-General, the Abia State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ASAA) and the Abia State House of Assembly.
Makinde and the APM are challenging the legality of the alleged fee, arguing that it conflicts with provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and other relevant laws.
The plaintiffs said they became aware of the fee while preparing to commence their nationwide campaign, arguing that if similar charges were imposed across the country, presidential candidates could face difficulties complying with the statutory campaign expenditure limit.
Among the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs is an order setting aside regulations made by ASAA concerning political campaign advertising, including the alleged ₦200 million fee or any similar charge imposed on presidential candidates.
They are also seeking an injunction restraining the defendants and their agents from enforcing the fee or removing, defacing, destroying or obstructing the placement of their campaign billboards and outdoor advertisements within Abia State.
Makinde and the APM further contend that the fee violates provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 relating to political campaigns and the use of state regulatory bodies during elections.
The case places the legality of the disputed campaign advertising charge before the Abia State High Court for determination.
