The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise, upload and use the modified digital logo of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The development was disclosed on Wednesday by former Bayelsa State Governor and NDC leader, Seriake Dickson, who described the judgment as an important victory for the party and a confirmation of its position on the disputed logo.
The judgment, delivered by Justice J.O. Abdulmalik, followed a legal action instituted by the NDC after it became dissatisfied with INEC’s handling of the party’s modified logo.
According to Dickson, the party’s first National Executive Council (NEC) meeting approved a modified version of its logo, which was subsequently submitted to INEC. The commission initially uploaded the modified logo to its platform before later removing it without giving the party an explanation, he said.
Dickson explained that INEC subsequently reverted to the association logo under which the party was originally registered. He said the NDC gave the electoral commission sufficient opportunity to address the matter administratively, but when the issue remained unresolved, the party decided to seek judicial intervention.
The former governor welcomed the court’s ruling, saying it vindicated the NDC’s position and reinforced the importance of due process in the administration of political parties and electoral matters.
Following the judgment, Dickson urged NDC candidates and members to immediately adopt the constitutionally approved modified digital logo across their campaign and publicity materials.
He specifically advised candidates to use the approved logo on banners, posters, campaign materials and other forms of political communication.
Dickson noted that both the old and modified versions of the logo feature the party’s distinctive two-finger victory sign. However, he maintained that the modified version is the authentic logo recognised by the party’s constitution and the one more broadly associated with the NDC.
“We understand that some candidates and party members may have already made arrangements using the other logo, and we regret the inconvenience this may have caused,” he said.
He urged party members to transition to the constitutionally approved version following the court’s decision.
The NDC leader also characterised the dispute as part of what he described as “administrative machinations” that the party has allegedly encountered.
The court order is expected to provide greater clarity for NDC candidates and supporters as the party moves forward with its political activities and prepares its campaign materials.
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For the party, the ruling settles the immediate dispute over which logo should be displayed in its official electoral and campaign communications, while placing the modified constitutionally approved logo at the centre of its future publicity efforts.
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