By Ono Yima
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to approve and immediately upload the modified digital logo of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for use in all elections conducted by the commission.
Justice J. O. Abdulmalik, in a judgment delivered on Tuesday, also restrained INEC, its officers, agents and representatives from interfering with the NDC’s use of the modified logo, effectively settling the immediate dispute between the electoral commission and the party over its official symbol.
The court directed INEC to approve the modified logo, including its symbol and colours, for use by the NDC “as its official logo for all purposes as a political party including for all elections conducted by” the commission.
The court described the symbol as a digitally designed “two-finger victory sign” with a blue background and the inscription “NDC” in red.
Justice Abdulmalik further declared INEC’s refusal to permit the NDC to modify its colour and logo design unconstitutional and illegal, holding that the commission’s position infringed the party’s constitutional and statutory rights. The court relied, among other provisions, on relevant sections of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The judgment followed a suit the NDC filed against INEC after a disagreement over the logo the commission should recognise for the party.
Senator Seriake Dickson, the NDC’s national leader, announced the judgment in a statement posted on X, describing it as a victory for the party and a “vindication of the NDC’s position.”
According to Dickson, the party approved its modified logo at its first National Executive Council meeting and forwarded it to INEC, which initially uploaded the design.
He alleged, however, that the commission subsequently removed the modified logo and reverted to the old logo with which the association was originally registered, without communicating a reason to the party.
Dickson said the NDC gave INEC sufficient time to resolve the matter administratively before seeking judicial intervention.
“We therefore commend the judiciary for its timely intervention and welcome the judgment directing INEC to forthwith upload and utilise our modified digital logo,” he said.
He described the ruling as an affirmation of the party’s position and due process.
The NDC leader has now directed the party’s candidates and members to immediately replace the disputed logo on their campaign materials with the court-approved version.
He urged candidates to use the modified symbol on banners, posters and other publicity materials, while acknowledging that the ruling could create difficulties for those who had already produced campaign materials bearing the earlier logo.
“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,” Dickson said.
He nevertheless stressed that the difference between the two designs should not create unnecessary anxiety among party members.
“However, both logos retain the two-finger victory sign,” he said. “Candidates should now transition to the logo approved in our party’s constitution, which is the authentic party logo and, indeed, the one that is more widely recognised.”
Dickson also sought to reassure party members following the legal battle, apparently mindful of the uncertainty surrounding the party’s identity and registration as it prepares for the 2027 elections.
“I want to assure everyone that the party has experienced and strategic leaders who understand what we are doing. Therefore, nobody should panic,” he said.
He added: “Members are free to raise questions and concerns, but there is absolutely no reason for panic.”
Dickson characterised the logo dispute as part of what he called the “administrative machinations” the party had continued to confront, but said the NDC would continue to defend its interests through democratic and legal means.
“We are democratic fighters. We do not run away from battles,” he said.
The latest ruling comes against the backdrop of earlier legal challenges surrounding the NDC’s registration. In December 2025, the Federal High Court in Lokoja ordered INEC to recognise and register the NDC as a political party, after the party challenged the commission’s initial position. INEC subsequently announced the party’s registration.
That development later triggered another legal dispute after the Peace Movement Party challenged aspects of the registration process and argued that it should have been joined in the earlier proceedings. In June 2026, a Federal High Court in Lokoja set aside the earlier judgment on the ground that the Peace Movement Party was a necessary party and directed that the substantive dispute be heard afresh. The NDC appealed and maintained that the ruling did not amount to an order deregistering the party.
Against that background, the Abuja judgment carries significance beyond the design of a political symbol. The court has now given INEC a clear legal directive on which logo the commission must recognise for the NDC, while also protecting the party against interference with its use of the modified design.
There is, however, an important practical task ahead. With political parties already preparing for the 2027 elections, the NDC and INEC will need to ensure that the same symbol appears consistently across electoral records, campaign materials and voter-facing information. Any lingering discrepancy could create avoidable confusion among voters.
The NDC says it will issue further guidance and embark on a public sensitisation campaign to ensure that candidates, members and voters understand the change.
For Dickson, the court victory is another reason for party supporters to remain confident.