The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to approve and use the modified digital logo of the Nigeria Democratic Congress for all elections conducted by the commission.
The judgment, delivered by Justice J.O. Abdulmalik, also restrained INEC, its officials and agents from preventing or interfering with the NDC’s use of the redesigned logo, which features the party’s distinctive two-finger victory sign.
The ruling followed a suit filed by the NDC after the party alleged that INEC removed its modified logo from the commission’s database and replaced it with the older logo associated with the organisation under which the party was originally registered.
According to the court order, INEC is required to approve the modified design, including its symbol and colours, for use by the NDC “for all purposes as a political party,” including elections conducted by the commission.
The court further directed the electoral commission to upload the modified logo to its official website and granted a perpetual injunction restraining INEC from interfering with the party’s use of the design.
Court Orders INEC to Recognise NDC’s Modified Logo
The modified logo is described as a digitally designed two-finger victory sign set against a blue background, with the acronym NDC displayed in red.
The NDC had argued that the design was approved by its National Executive Committee and subsequently submitted to INEC. According to the party, the commission initially uploaded the modified version before later removing it without providing an explanation and reverting to the earlier logo.
The party subsequently approached the court after its efforts to resolve the disagreement administratively failed.
Justice Abdulmalik reportedly held that INEC’s refusal to recognise the modified design, after the party had complied with the requirements for making the change, infringed the NDC’s constitutional and statutory rights. The court relied on provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights in reaching its decision.
The ruling is the latest development in a series of legal disputes surrounding the NDC since its emergence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party had previously gone to court over its registration after INEC initially refused to recognise it. A Federal High Court in Lokoja subsequently ordered the commission to register the party, after which INEC announced its registration in February 2026.
However, the party’s registration later became the subject of another legal dispute after the Peace Movement Party challenged aspects of the process and argued that it ought to have been joined in the earlier proceedings. In June, another Federal High Court ruling set aside the earlier judgment that facilitated the NDC’s registration, prompting the party to appeal.
Reacting to the latest judgment, NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, described it as a vindication of the party’s position and directed candidates and members to immediately begin using the modified logo on campaign materials.
Dickson acknowledged that some candidates may already have printed materials bearing the previous design but said the party would commence sensitisation to ensure that members and voters understood the approved version.
The NDC has consequently urged its candidates to transition to the modified logo as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
