- Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement presidential candidate Seyi Makinde and his party have sued Abia State Governor Alex Otti over an alleged N200 million campaign fee for presidential candidates seeking to display campaign materials in the state.
- The plaintiffs are asking the Abia State High Court to invalidate the fee, arguing that it conflicts with the Constitution and Electoral Act 2026.
Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement presidential candidate Seyi Makinde and his party have dragged Abia State Governor Alex Otti to court over an alleged N200 million campaign fee for presidential candidates.
The suit, marked HC/214/2026, was filed before the Abia State High Court through their lawyer, Musibau Adetunbi, SAN. The Abia State Attorney-General, Abia State Signage and Advertisement Agency and the State House of Assembly were also listed as defendants.
Makinde and the APM are challenging the legality of the fee, arguing that it violates the 1999 Constitution and provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
They are asking the court to set aside regulations made by the signage agency relating to political campaigns, including the N200 million charge.
The plaintiffs are also seeking an injunction restraining the defendants and their agents from enforcing the fee or “removing, defacing, destroying and obstructing” their campaign billboards and outdoor advertisements in Abia State.
Makinde and the APM further argued that Section 99(2) of the Electoral Act prohibits the use of state apparatus or regulatory bodies to advantage or disadvantage any political party or candidate.
They also cited the presidential campaign expenditure limit under Section 92, arguing that if states imposed similar charges, compliance with the nationwide spending limit would become difficult.
The development has sparked reactions online, with some Nigerians questioning why Makinde did not first challenge similar restrictions elsewhere, while others focused on the legal basis for the suit.
@Jacob Idoko: But when LASAA says no other political party should paste their candidates on Lagos billboards, y’all kept quiet abi.
@Ri Ri: No be by bill board, Otti just said let the best man win
@Daniel Chinedu: I thought bandits are savaging Oyo?
Is this what this werey should be after,at this time of the yr? 🤦🙆
@Omengboji Oreh: Nobe to sue be the problem oooh, try dey appear for court oooo
@Stereoo Type: Whatever Otti does, he’s right.
The role you played alongside Wike during the last election also contributed to where Nigeria finds itself today.
@Chigozie Obioha: Let him start with Abuja
@Chidozie Nwaoguimo: Egusi for Egusi… The same way Benue people stopped Obi from entering Benue state
@Obiaku Daniel: Doris the incoming go dei one corner dei shout power ! Now 🤣😂
@Kalu Chinecherem: This one is just playing why not start with Abuja
@Arc Stephen Oluwajoba Igwe: Make eh sha no go near bandit territory o😂
They will remove 1daily till his ransom is completed😂
@Emmediong Ekong Ekwere: Is there any law that backs the sueing?
@Wisdom Arena: Did he also sue wike?
@Jacob Oyok: I bet you are seeking for exposure for your political party…
@Isa Ac: Abuja would have been the first because it belongs to all Nigerian citizen
@Amarachi Bright: This people and trouble, mind your business Mr man, carry your pepper body and gerrout
@Nneka Adiele Kanu: What happened to the first people who started the rule in Abuja, Anambra, etc.? Na only Abia you wan flex muscle? And who exactly is voting for APM in Abia? 😅
