Lawyer Invokes FOI Act, Demands Evidence Of N150m Advert Fee Payment By APC

A legal practitioner, Chimezie Nwodo, has invoked the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011, to demand documents and any other information evidencing the payment of N150m advertising fee permit by the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Enugu State before its March 3, 2026 Congress in the state.

The acknowledged copy of a formal letter addressed to the General Manager, Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertising Agency (ENSSAA), Mr. Francis Aninwike, was made available to newsmen in Abuja.

In the letter dated March 13, 2026 and acknowledged on March 17, and titled “Request for Information Pursuant to the Relevant Provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011: An open letter,” the lawyer urged the agency to make available documents and relevant information evidencing that the APC paid the mandatory N150m advertising permit fee for political parties and candidates participating in the 2026 Local Government Council and 2027 general elections in the state.

Nwodo said the request was made in the interest of transparency and public accountability, adding that the FOI Act empowers citizens to access public records and hold government institutions accountable.

The managing director of ENSSAA, Mr Francis Aninwike, had, on or about February 23, 2026, while acting in his official capacity, made a publication conveying the imposition of a mandatory N150m advertising permit fee for political parties and candidates participating in the 2026 Local Government and 2027 general elections in the state.

According to the agency, “the N150m advertising fee would grant political parties the right to deploy and or display campaign materials, including banners, branded vehicles, T-shirts and handbills with respect to activities concerning the 2026 Local Government Council and the 2027 general elections.”

However in his letter, Nwodo noted: “As I am sure you were well aware, the ruling political party in Enugu State, the All Progressives’ Congress (APC), held it’s state congress on March 3, 2026, at Micheal Okpara Square, where the party leadership was elected in preparation for the 2026 Local Government Council election and the 2027 general elections.

“The media is awash with videos and pictures of banners, branded vehicles, T-shirts, face-caps, handbills and mufflers of the APC, which emerged as a result of the activities of the congress of the party, which held on 3 March 2026, as the same were displayed and worn in various manners during the congress by party members.

Aside from this, it has also been noted that billboards in the city of Enugu, the state capital, display APC advertising materials in various sizes, all bearing the party’s name and logo/insignia.

“In view of the above, I hereby apply to be issued with documents and any other relevant information evidencing proof of the payment of the N150m advertising permit fee paid by the APC before the March 3, 2026, which enabled the political party and it’s members to advertise on billboards within Enugu State and use banners, branded vehicles, T-shirts face-caps handbills and mufflers with insignia of the APC during the congress held on March 3 2026.October 14, 2026.

“I most humbly implore you to use your good offices to ensure that this request is expeditiously acceded to in compliance with the relevant provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.

“Please, do take note that failure to accede to this request within the prescribed timeline, I shall not hesitate to activate available legal mechanisms to compel compliance,” the letter reads.