Makinde, APM Sue Otti Over N200m Campaign Fee

The presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, and the party have sued Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, over an alleged N200 million campaign fee.

The plaintiffs are challenging the fee imposed on presidential candidates seeking to display campaign materials in Abia State.

They filed the suit, marked HC/214/2026, before the High Court of Abia State through their counsel, Musibau Adetunbi, SAN. Reports said the case was filed on September 17.

Makinde, who is also the governor of Oyo State, and the APM argue that the fee violates the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2026.

They also contend that the charge could make it difficult for presidential candidates to comply with the statutory limit on campaign expenditure.

The plaintiffs listed Otti, the Abia State Attorney-General, the Abia State Signage and Advertisement Agency and the state House of Assembly as defendants.

Makinde and the APM said they became aware of the fee while preparing for their nationwide campaign.

They argued that the financial burden would become much heavier if other states adopted similar charges for presidential campaign materials.

According to the plaintiffs, Section 92 of the Electoral Act 2026 limits total spending on a presidential campaign to N10 billion nationwide.

They therefore argued that a N200 million charge in one state could consume a significant part of the permitted campaign expenditure.

The plaintiffs are asking the court to set aside the regulations made by the Abia State Signage and Advertisement Agency concerning political campaigns.

They specifically want the court to invalidate the N200 million charge imposed on presidential candidates for campaign advertising.

They are also seeking an injunction to stop the defendants and their agents from enforcing the fee.

The order would also prevent the removal, defacing, destruction or obstruction of their campaign billboards and outdoor advertisements in Abia.

Makinde and the APM further want the court to declare the fee inconsistent with the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

They are relying on provisions of the Constitution and Sections 92 and 99 of the Electoral Act 2026 in advancing their case.

The plaintiffs also cited Section 99(2), which they said restricts the use of state apparatus or regulatory bodies to favour or disadvantage a political party or candidate.

They argued that the Abia signage agency, as a state regulatory body, should not impose charges that could affect candidates differently during an election.

The plaintiffs further contend that the Independent National Electoral Commission has the authority to make rules and regulations governing political campaigns.

They based the argument on provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act relating to the regulation of elections and campaigns.

Makinde and the APM also acknowledged that states have powers to regulate outdoor advertising and signage.

However, they argued that such powers cannot override federal electoral laws or impose conditions that hinder political candidates from campaigning.

They further relied on Sections 1(3) and 4(5) of the Constitution in challenging any state regulation that conflicts with federal legislation.

The plaintiffs said the N200 million charge could create an uneven field for presidential candidates if other states adopted similar measures.

They therefore asked the court to intervene before the campaign season progresses further.

The suit comes as political parties and presidential candidates prepare for the 2027 general election and begin expanding their campaign activities nationwide.

The court will determine the validity of the disputed fee and the extent of the state’s power to regulate political campaign advertising in the circumstances of the case.