Makinde and APM sue Abia Governor Otti over alleged N200m campaign 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  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 s 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.     They argued that although states may regulate outdoor advertising, such powers cannot be exercised in a manner that obstructs or restricts a presidential candidate’s right to campaign.   The plaintiffs further argued that state regulations cannot override federal legislation on election campaigns.   They also relied on section 92 of the Electoral Act, which they said places a N10 billion limit on expenditure by a presidential candidate during an election campaign.   They argued that imposing a N200 million fee in individual states could make compliance with the statutory spending limit difficult if similar charges were imposed across the country.     The plaintiffs also contended that Sections 1(3) and 4(5) of the Constitution render any state law or administrative regulation inconsistent with an Act of the national assembly void to the extent of the inconsistency.   Consequently, they are praying the court to intervene, arguing that failure to do so would affect Makinde’s right to campaign for public office and undermine a level playing field for political parties and candidates.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and the APM have sued Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, over an alleged N200 million campaign materials fee. Read More: https://punchng.com/makinde-apm-sue-abia-gov-over-n200m-campaign-fee/

The presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, and his party have sued the Abia State Government, the governor, Alex Otti, and two others over their alleged unlawful imposition of a N200 million mandatory campaign fee on any presidential candidate wishing to have his or her campaign materials […] Makinde, APM sue Abia Gov, Otti over N200m campaign fee for presidential candidates

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA – The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and its presidential candidate, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, have instituted a legal action against Governor Alex Otti of Abia State over the alleged unlawful imposition of a N200 million mandatory campaign fee. According to the plaintiffs, the Abia State governor mandated that any […] The post Presidential Poll: Makinde, APM drag Gov Otti to court over N200m campaign fee appeared first on Vanguard News.