Makinde, APM Sue Otti Over N200m Campaign Fee in Abia

Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, and his party have sued Abia State Governor Alex Otti and other state authorities over the N200 million campaign fee imposed on presidential candidates seeking to display campaign materials in the state.

The suit, marked HC/214/2026, was filed before the Abia State High Court by their lawyer, Musibau Adetunbi.

Makinde and the APM argued that the fee imposed by the Abia State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ASAA) violated the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and other relevant laws.

The plaintiffs said they became aware of the charge while preparing to commence their nationwide campaign, arguing that if similar fees were imposed across the states, presidential candidates could struggle to comply with the campaign spending limit under the Electoral Act.

The defendants in the suit include Otti, the Abia State Attorney-General, ASAA and the Abia State House of Assembly.

Among other reliefs, the plaintiffs are asking the court to set aside the regulations imposing the N200 million campaign fee and restrain the defendants and their agents from enforcing the charge or removing, defacing or obstructing their campaign billboards and outdoor advertisements in the state.

Meanwhile, the Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation has announced plans to commence zonal town hall meetings ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The meetings are scheduled to take place across the six geopolitical zones, beginning with Katsina on September 22, followed by Uyo on September 25, Lafia on September 28 and Enugu on September 30.

The campaign organisation said the meetings would provide an opportunity for citizens and stakeholders to discuss issues of national importance.

Separately, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State accused Makinde of using his presidential ambition as a means of leaving the country and avoiding alleged corruption and abuse-of-office cases.

The allegation was contained in a statement issued by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare.

The APC also criticised the reported declaration of September 21 as a public holiday in Oyo State, alleging that the decision was intended to facilitate a musical concert in Ibadan and accusing the governor of deploying state resources for political activities.