Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, and the party have instituted legal proceedings against the Abia State Government over an alleged N200 million fee for presidential candidates seeking to display campaign materials in the state. �

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The suit, marked HC/214/2026, was filed before the Abia State High Court, Umuahia Judicial Division, on September 17 by the plaintiffs’ legal team led by Musibau Adetunbi, SAN. The Abia State Attorney-General, Abia State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ABSSAA) and the State House of Assembly were joined as defendants. �

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Makinde and the APM are challenging the legality of the fee, arguing that it conflicts with the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and other federal legislation.

Among the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs is an order setting aside regulations made by the signage agency concerning political campaigns, particularly the N200 million charge imposed on presidential candidates.

They are also asking the court for a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants and their agents from enforcing the fee or “removing, defacing, destroying and obstructing” the placement of their campaign billboards and outdoor advertisements in Abia State. �

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The plaintiffs want the court to declare the N200 million charge unconstitutional and inconsistent with relevant provisions of the Electoral Act and other federal laws, and therefore null and void.

They specifically argued that the fee violates Section 99(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which prohibits the use of state apparatus or regulatory bodies to the advantage or disadvantage of a political party or candidate.

Makinde and the APM further contended that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has exclusive authority to make rules and regulations governing political campaigns for candidates and political parties for electoral purposes.

They relied on Item F, Section 15(a) and (f) of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution and provisions of the Electoral Act in making the argument. �

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According to the plaintiffs, imposing the N200 million charge through the state signage agency could restrict the ability of non-incumbent candidates to gain public visibility, particularly if similar charges were introduced across other states.

The suit also refers to Section 92 of the Electoral Act 2026, which sets the total campaign expenditure limit for a presidential election at N10 billion nationwide.

The plaintiffs argued that if comparable billboard charges were imposed across the country, the cumulative cost could account for more than 80 per cent of the statutory campaign spending limit before other expenses such as media advertising, transportation, venues, security and election agents were considered.

They acknowledged that regulation of outdoor signage falls within the powers of state authorities but maintained that such powers could not be exercised in a way that conflicts with federal electoral legislation.

They cited Sections 1(3) and 4(5) of the Constitution, arguing that state regulations inconsistent with valid federal legislation would be invalid to the extent of the inconsistency. �

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The supporting affidavit was deposed to by Aisha Abdullahi Abubakar, identified as the APM’s National Welfare Officer.

She stated that the plaintiffs became aware of the fee while preparing for a nationwide campaign tour covering the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Makinde and the APM told the court that unless the fee is restrained, they could suffer irreparable harm to their constitutional right to seek public office, while the principle of a level playing field for candidates and political parties could also be affected.

The suit is currently before the Abia State High Court, and no date had been fixed for hearing as of the latest report.