Nnaji Accuses Enugu Govt of ‘Lawlessness’ Over Campaign Office Raid
ENUGU, Nigeria, September 27, 2026. Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Enugu State, has accused the Enugu State Government of “lawlessness” and invasion of privacy after state authorities allegedly entered his campaign office on Abakaliki Road and removed political posters and other campaign materials.
Nnaji said campaign liveries decorating the office, fence and surrounding areas were torn down and taken away during the operation, despite an ongoing legal challenge to the state’s controversial political signage regime.
The PDP candidate described the incident as a troubling escalation of the dispute over political advertising in Enugu, arguing that the government should have exercised restraint while the matter remains before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
“My privacy has been invaded by the Enugu State Government. My personal campaign office was attacked by the Enugu State Environmental Protection Agency and all my posters torn down in contravention of an ongoing court process,” Nnaji said in a statement.
“A Motion on Notice was served on them and we are waiting for the hearing of the matter when they embarked on their ‘Destroy Enugu First Campaign’. The signage policy of Enugu State Government has been challenged at the Federal High Court, Abuja, since about two months now.”
Nnaji described the alleged entry into his campaign premises as “politically sad and unethical”, saying political differences should not override respect for private property, judicial proceedings and the rule of law.
“I wish to express my deep concern and condemnation over what I consider to be an unwarranted invasion of my privacy and an unacceptable attack on my personal campaign office at Abakaliki Road in Enugu State,” he said.
“What makes this development particularly disturbing is that the Enugu State Government’s signage policy is currently being challenged before the Federal High Court, Abuja, and a Motion on Notice has already been served on the relevant parties. We are awaiting the hearing and determination of the matter.
“Against this background, I find it deeply troubling that enforcement action was allegedly undertaken while the judicial process is ongoing.”
The raid comes amid growing controversy over the regulation of political advertising in Enugu as preparations intensify for the 2027 general election.
The Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency, ENSSAA, earlier announced a mandatory ₦150 million advertising permit for political parties and candidates seeking to deploy campaign advertising across the state.
ENSSAA General Manager Francis Aninwike said the permit covers political advertising and promotional activities across Enugu’s 17 local government areas, including billboards, banners, branded vehicles, handbills, T-shirts, caps, buntings and street campaigns.
The agency has defended the policy as a regulatory measure intended to maintain advertising standards, prevent indiscriminate placement of campaign materials and protect public infrastructure.
It has also maintained that the regulations apply to political actors regardless of party affiliation, a position that contrasts with claims by some opposition politicians that the policy could restrict their ability to campaign.
The ₦150 million figure has nevertheless become a flashpoint in the build-up to the election.
The agency has reiterated restrictions on indiscriminate political posters on buildings, walls, fences, bridges, electricity poles, roads and public facilities, citing the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency Law No. 12 of 2016 as the legal foundation for its regulatory powers.
Nnaji, however, argued that the existence of a state regulation does not remove the obligation of public agencies to respect due process, citizens’ rights and proceedings already before the courts.
He questioned why enforcement authorities could not wait for judicial consideration of the challenge.
“Why the haste? Why destroy first when the court is already seized of the matter?” Nnaji asked.
“The rule of law requires patience, restraint and respect for due process. Where a policy or governmental action is before a competent court, the proper course is to allow the judiciary to determine the legality of the disputed policy rather than resorting to actions that might appear to prejudge the matter.”
Nnaji, a former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, is seeking the governorship on the PDP platform as the party attempts to reposition itself in a state it governed for more than two decades before Governor Peter Mbah moved to the All Progressives Congress.
The build-up to 2027 has already generated other political tensions in the state.
Earlier in September, Enugu State Commissioner of Police Bitrus Giwa ordered an investigation following reported disruptions of separate political gatherings involving opposition parties.
Nnaji maintains that his complaint extends beyond the cost of a permit or the regulation of outdoor advertising. For the PDP candidate, the crucial issue is the alleged entry into a private campaign office and removal of materials while the policy underpinning the enforcement remains under legal challenge.
