Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and his party, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), have filed a lawsuit against the Abia State Government, Governor Alex Otti, and two others over the alleged unlawful imposition of a N200 million mandatory campaign fee on presidential candidates. The suit, marked HC/214/2026, was filed before the High Court of Abia State. Makinde and APM argue that the fee violates the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and other relevant laws.
The plaintiffs claim they learned about the fee while preparing to commence their nationwide campaign. They argue that if every state imposes such a high fee, it would be impossible for any presidential candidate to comply with the campaign funding limit set by the Electoral Act 2026. The defendants listed in the suit include the Abia State Attorney General, Abia State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ASAA), and the state House of Assembly.
Makinde and APM have raised six questions for the court's determination and are seeking eight reliefs. These include an order setting aside the regulations made by ASAA in respect of political campaigns, including the imposition of a campaign fee of N200m on presidential candidates or any amount. They also want an order of injunction restraining the defendants and their agents from enforcing the campaign or signage fee.
The Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation has announced the commencement of zonal town hall meetings as part of its consultations ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The meetings, scheduled across the six geopolitical zones, aim to bring together citizens and stakeholders to discuss issues of national importance. The North-West meeting is set to hold in Katsina, Katsina State, on September 22.
The campaign will hold its South-South meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on September 25, while the North-Central meeting is scheduled for Lafia, Nasarawa State, on September 28. The South-East meeting will take place in Enugu, Enugu State, on September 30. These meetings are part of the campaign's efforts to engage with citizens and stakeholders across the country.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has accused Makinde of using his presidential ambition as a ploy to leave the country and evade alleged corruption cases and other allegations of abuse of office. The party made the allegation in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare.
The APC also faulted the reported declaration of September 21 as a public holiday in Oyo State, alleging that the decision was intended to promote a musical concert organised in Ibadan. The party described the development as an alleged abuse of office and accused the governor of deploying state resources to political activities.
Key points
- Governor Seyi Makinde and APM have sued Abia State Governor Alex Otti over a N200 million mandatory campaign fee for presidential candidates.
- The lawsuit argues that the fee violates the Constitution and the Electoral Act 2026.
- The Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation has commenced zonal town hall meetings ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
