Federal High Court reportedly directs INEC to recognise modified NDC logo
ABUJA — The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has declared victory in a fresh legal battle with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its official party logo, with the party saying a Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the electoral body to upload and utilise its constitutionally approved modified digital logo.
The development was announced by the National Leader of the NDC, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, who said the judgment was delivered on Tuesday by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, presided over by Justice J. O. Abdulmalik.
According to Dickson, the party approached the court after INEC allegedly removed the NDC’s modified logo from its records and reverted to the old logo with which the party was originally registered.
He said the party had approved the modified logo at its first National Executive Committee meeting and subsequently forwarded it to INEC.
According to the NDC leader, INEC initially uploaded the modified logo but later removed it without communicating any reason to the party.
Dickson said the development forced the party to seek judicial intervention after waiting for INEC to correct the situation.
The NDC’s leadership said the court has now granted its prayers and directed INEC to immediately upload and utilise the party’s modified digital logo as contained in its constitution.
The latest development comes against the background of a prolonged legal controversy surrounding the NDC’s registration and party symbol.
Earlier in June 2026, a Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja set aside an earlier judgment that had compelled INEC to register the NDC as a political party after the Peace Movement Party (PMP) challenged the use of a disputed two-finger victory logo. The Lokoja court held that the PMP’s rights could have been affected because it was not joined as a party to the earlier proceedings.
The dispute triggered political uncertainty within the NDC, with Dickson previously assuring party candidates and supporters that their nominations remained valid and that there was no reason for panic.
But in his latest message to party members, Dickson said the NDC had once again turned to the judiciary and secured what the party described as a victory for its legitimate position.
“We therefore commend the judiciary for its timely intervention and welcome the judgment directing INEC to forthwith upload and utilise our modified digital logo,” Dickson said.
He said the party welcomed the court’s intervention as a reaffirmation of due process and the constitutional rights of the NDC to determine and use its officially approved symbol.
Dickson also commended party members and candidates for what he described as their patience throughout the controversy.
He directed all NDC candidates, officials and supporters to immediately begin using the modified logo in campaign and party materials.
The directive affects banners, posters and other publicity materials connected with the party and its candidates.
“Accordingly, from this moment, the party and all its candidates should use and refer to the constitutionally approved modified digital logo in all campaign and party-related materials,” he said.
The NDC leader acknowledged that some candidates and members may have already produced campaign materials using the other logo.
He expressed regret over the inconvenience but insisted that party members must now transition to the constitutionally approved symbol.
According to him, both the previous and modified logos retain the two-finger victory sign, but the newly approved version is the authentic party logo contained in the NDC constitution.
He also described the modified symbol as the logo more widely recognised by members and supporters of the party.
Dickson sought to calm concerns among party members, insisting that the NDC leadership remained in control of its political and legal affairs.
“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.
“Members are free to raise questions and concerns, but there is absolutely no reason for panic.”
The former Bayelsa State governor also struck a defiant tone while addressing what he described as continuing administrative challenges confronting the party.
“We regard the challenges surrounding this matter as part of the administrative machinations we have continued to confront,” Dickson said.
“But we want to assure our members that we are democratic fighters. We do not run away from battles.”
The latest court victory, if implemented by INEC as announced by the party, could bring an important measure of clarity to the NDC as it prepares for political activities ahead of the 2027 general election.
Party symbols and logos are critical elements of Nigeria’s electoral process, particularly in a political environment where visual identification plays a major role in voter recognition and campaign mobilisation.
The controversy surrounding the NDC logo had therefore created uncertainty for candidates and supporters who needed clarity over which symbol should appear on campaign materials.
Dickson said the party would now embark on further publicity and sensitisation to ensure that candidates, members and the voting public are properly informed about the approved logo.
“The party will issue a formal statement and embark on appropriate publicity to ensure that all members and candidates are properly guided, while also sensitising the voting public,” he said.
“There is still time to do so.”
The NDC has faced a series of legal and administrative challenges since emerging as a political force ahead of the 2027 general election.
The party’s earlier registration controversy centred on the use of a two-finger victory logo, which was also claimed by the Peace Movement Party and became the subject of litigation.
Reports in June showed that the Federal High Court in Lokoja set aside its earlier judgment compelling INEC to register the NDC, ordering parties to return to their positions before the December 2025 judgment and directing that necessary parties be joined for the matter to be properly determined.
Despite the controversy, Dickson had maintained that the NDC remained a political party and that candidates who emerged from its primaries should not panic.
He had argued that the party’s nominations were conducted through processes monitored by INEC and remained valid.
The NDC’s latest announcement over its logo is therefore likely to attract fresh attention as the party attempts to stabilise its structures and strengthen its identity ahead of the next general election.
Dickson thanked party members, candidates and supporters for standing by the party throughout the legal and administrative disputes.
He said the leadership remained focused on moving the NDC forward despite the challenges.
“Together, we remain focused in SERVICE. Together, we move forward,” he said.
“NDC all the way!”
The party’s announcement marks another major development in its continuing political and legal journey, with attention now expected to shift to the implementation of the reported Federal High Court directive and the adoption of the modified logo by NDC candidates and supporters nationwide.
IBN News will continue to monitor developments surrounding the NDC, its legal battles and the party’s preparations for the 2027 general election.
