From Lawrence Njoku

Printers of campaign posters in Enugu State may face sanctions as the state government on Wednesday tightened noose against public display of posters within the city without authorisation.

The state government cautioned printers and printing establishments against producing or facilitating posters for unauthorised display or pasting, stressing that any violator would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“Where any such poster is traced to a printer, the printer may be subject to investigation and appropriate sanctions where its involvement in the violation is established in accordance with the law”, the government warned

The government asked political parties, candidates, aspirants and campaign organisations to use radio, television, print and digital/social media, as well as approved billboards, to reach their audiences and voters.

Recall that the state government had earlier in the year announced N150 million payment as a condition to mount campaign posters and billboards in the state.

Reiterating the ban on indiscriminate posting of posters, the government also stated that any person that violates the ban is liable to a fine of up to Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000),in accordance with the applicable law and regulations.

A statement by the General Manager,
Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ENSSAA), Francis Aninwike, reminded political parties, candidates, aspirants, campaign organisations, supporters, printers, advertisers, marketers and members of public that the ban on the display and pasting of posters remains in force across Enugu State.

He stated that the ban is pursuant to the provisions of the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency Law No. 12 of 2016, particularly Sections 4(1)(g), 33 and 34(4)(9), which provide the statutory basis for the Agency’s regulation and control of outdoor advertising and the display of posters and other advertising materials.

“The Agency is issuing this reminder as the Enugu State Local Government Elections scheduled for September 26, 2026, and the 2027 General Elections approach, with political activities and campaigns expected to intensify across the State.

“The ban applies to all types of posters, including election campaign posters. The specific emphasis on campaign posters at this time is necessitated by the approach of the elections, during which public and private surfaces and spaces are particularly prone to widespread defacement through the indiscriminate pasting of political posters.

“Accordingly, political parties, candidates, aspirants, campaign organisations and their supporters are reminded that posters bearing their names, photographs, logos, messages, slogans or other campaign materials are equally covered by the ban.

“No person, political party, candidate, aspirant, campaign organisation or supporter is permitted to paste, affix or display posters on buildings, walls, fences, bridges, electricity poles, road infrastructure, public facilities or any other public or private surface or space within Enugu State”, the statement said

It urged all concerned to desist from the indiscriminate pasting and display of posters, which deface public and private property, degrade the environment and undermine the aesthetic appearance of the cities, towns and communities.

ENSSAA further reminded the public that any person who violates the ban on the pasting or display of posters in Enugu State “is liable to a fine of up to Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000), in accordance with the applicable law and regulations”.

ENSSAA said anyone caught pasting or displaying posters in violation of the ban will face the full wrath of the law, including the applicable financial penalties and other sanctions prescribed by law.

It urged all stakeholders to cooperate with the Agency in preserving the cleanliness, environmental quality and aesthetic integrity of Enugu State.

The Agency reiterated that the ban applies equally and without fear or favour to all persons, political parties, candidates, aspirants, organisations and individuals, irrespective of political affiliation or status.