NEWS
NDC Wins Court Battle Over Party Logo as Federal High Court Orders INEC to Use Modified Digital Emblem
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has secured a significant legal victory in its dispute with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the official logo to be used by the party and its candidates.
Former Bayelsa State Governor and prominent NDC leader, Henry Seriake Dickson, announced the development, saying the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had ordered INEC to immediately upload and utilise the party’s constitutionally approved modified digital logo.
In a statement to party members and Nigerians, Dickson said the judgment was delivered on Wednesday by the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice J. O. Abdulmalik, following a suit filed by the NDC to compel INEC to recognise and use the modified logo contained in the party’s constitution.
According to him, the controversy began after the party’s first National Executive Council (NEC) meeting approved its modified logo and forwarded it to INEC, which initially uploaded the emblem.
He said INEC subsequently removed the modified logo without communicating any reason to the party and instead insisted on using the old logo of the association under which the NDC was originally registered.
Dickson explained that the party initially gave the electoral commission sufficient time to resolve the matter administratively but was eventually forced to seek judicial intervention after no corrective action was taken.
The former governor welcomed the court’s intervention, describing the judgment as a vindication of the party’s position and a reinforcement of the importance of due process in electoral and party administration.
He also praised party members, particularly NDC candidates, for remaining patient throughout the dispute and directed them to immediately begin using the constitutionally approved modified digital logo on campaign materials.
He said the directive covers banners, posters and other publicity materials being used by candidates and party supporters.
Dickson acknowledged that some candidates and members had already made arrangements and produced campaign materials bearing the other logo, expressing regret over the inconvenience caused by the change.
However, he noted that both versions of the logo carry the party’s distinctive two-finger victory sign, while stressing that the modified digital logo now approved by the court is the authentic emblem contained in the party’s constitution and, according to him, the version more widely recognised by the public.
The NDC leader further sought to calm concerns among party members, assuring them that the party has experienced and strategic leaders capable of navigating the challenges confronting it.
He urged members not to panic, saying they remained free to raise questions and concerns but that there was no reason for alarm.
Dickson described the logo dispute as part of what he called the “administrative machinations” the party had continued to confront, insisting that the NDC would not retreat from challenges.
He declared that the party considered itself made up of “democratic fighters” who would confront institutional and political battles through legitimate democratic means.
The NDC leader also expressed gratitude to God for what he described as another judicial vindication of the party’s position.
He consequently directed that, with immediate effect, the NDC and all its candidates should use and refer to the constitutionally approved modified digital logo in all campaign and party-related materials.
The party, he disclosed, will issue a formal statement and commence wider publicity to ensure that candidates, members and the voting public are properly informed about the approved logo ahead of the elections.
Dickson concluded by thanking NDC members, candidates and supporters for their patience and steadfastness, while reaffirming the party’s commitment to its political mission.
“Together, we remain focused in SERVICE. Together, we move
forward.
“NDC all the way!”
~HSD