2027: Makinde, APM sue Alex Otti over N200m Abia Campaign Permit Fee

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Seyi Makinde, its presidential candidate, have sued Alex Otti, governor of Abia, over a N200 million fee imposed on presidential candidates seeking to display campaign materials in the state.

The suit marked HC/214/2026 was filed before a high court in Umuahia, Abia state. Other defendants are the attorney-general of Abia state, Abia State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ABSAA), and the Abia state house of assembly.

ABSAA had fixed N200 million for presidential candidates, N150 million for governorship candidates, N100 million for senatorial candidates, N50 million for house of representatives candidates and N20 million for state assembly candidates seeking campaign advertising permits in the state.

The plaintiffs are challenging the legality of the campaign advertising fee, arguing that it is inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2026.

They are asking the court to determine whether the state can impose the charge on presidential candidates for the display of campaign materials.

Makinde and the APM, through their lawyer, Musibau Adetunbi, a senior advocate of Nigeria, raised six questions for determination and are seeking eight reliefs.

They want the court to set aside the regulations made by ABSAA in relation to political campaigns, including the N200 million fee imposed on presidential candidates.

They are also seeking an injunction restraining the defendants, their agents and privies from enforcing the fee or removing, defacing, destroying or obstructing their campaign billboards and outdoor advertisements in Abia.

Relying on Item F, section 15(a) and (f) of the third schedule to the constitution, sections 92 and 99 of the Electoral Act 2026, and Sections 1(3) and 4(5) of the constitution, the plaintiffs are asking the court to declare that the N200 million fee is null and void.

They submit that the Electoral Act prohibits the use of state apparatus or regulatory bodies to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate.

The APM and Makinde further argued that the constitution and Electoral Act vest the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with the power to make rules and regulations governing political campaigns for candidates and political parties.