The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to upload and use the modified digital logo of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), bringing to an end a dispute that had arisen between the party and the electoral commission over its official symbol.
The judgment was delivered by Justice J. O. Abdulmalik following a suit filed by the NDC seeking an order compelling INEC to recognize the modified logo contained in the party’s constitution.
The development was announced by the party’s National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, in a statement issued after the judgment.
Dickson explained that the NDC had approved the modified logo at its first National Executive Council meeting and subsequently forwarded it to INEC for recognition.
According to him, the electoral commission initially uploaded the new logo but later removed it without giving the party any explanation for the decision.
INEC instead reverted to the association logo under which the NDC was originally registered, a move the party rejected.
Dickson said the party gave the commission time to address the issue administratively but eventually resorted to litigation when no resolution was reached.
He welcomed the court’s decision, describing it as a confirmation of the party’s position and commending the judiciary for intervening in the dispute.
The NDC leader subsequently directed all candidates and members of the party to immediately begin using the modified logo in their campaign and other political materials.
He specifically mentioned banners, posters and other publicity materials as items that should henceforth carry the constitutionally approved symbol.
Dickson acknowledged that some candidates and party members might already have produced campaign materials bearing the previous logo and expressed regret over the inconvenience that the change could cause.
He, however, noted that both the old and modified symbols carry the party’s distinctive two-finger victory sign.
He urged candidates to gradually replace the old design with the version approved in the party’s constitution, which he described as the authentic and more widely recognized NDC logo.
The party leader also sought to reassure members who might be concerned about the dispute, saying there was no reason for panic and that the party had experienced leaders capable of navigating the challenges surrounding its preparations for the 2027 elections.
Dickson described the disagreement with INEC as part of what he called “administrative machinations” that the party had faced, but insisted that the NDC would continue to confront such challenges through democratic and legal means.
He said the court ruling represented another judicial vindication of the party’s position and expressed appreciation to party members, candidates and supporters for remaining patient throughout the dispute.
The controversy over the NDC logo had become particularly important as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections and works to establish its identity among voters.
The party has already begun positioning itself for the election, with its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and other candidates expected to campaign under the NDC platform.
The question of the logo was therefore not merely an administrative matter, as the symbol will be one of the primary ways voters identify the party and its candidates on campaign materials and, subject to the electoral process, on the ballot.
Dickson said the NDC would issue further communication to guide its members and candidates on the implementation of the court decision.
He also said the party would embark on publicity and sensitization efforts to ensure that members, candidates and the wider electorate become familiar with the approved logo.
The development comes amid growing political activity ahead of the 2027 elections, with parties increasingly working to resolve organizational, legal and electoral issues before the campaign intensifies.
For the NDC, the ruling provides greater certainty over the identity it intends to present to voters and allows its candidates to proceed with their campaign preparations using the modified symbol.
Dickson urged members and supporters to remain focused on the party’s preparations for the election, thanking them for their steadfastness during the dispute.
With the court now directing INEC to upload and utilize the modified logo, the NDC leadership expects the issue to be settled as it moves ahead with its 2027 campaign preparations.
