By Opeyemi Adelakun
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to upload and use the modified digital logo of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC.
The development was disclosed on Wednesday by former Bayelsa State Governor and NDC national leader, Seriake Dickson, following a judgment delivered by Justice J.O. Abdulmalik.
Dickson said the ruling followed a suit filed by the party to compel INEC to recognise the modified logo contained in the NDC constitution rather than the association logo under which the party was initially registered.
According to him, the party’s first National Executive Council, NEC, meeting approved the modified logo and forwarded it to INEC, which subsequently uploaded it.
He said the commission later removed the modified version without giving the party a reason and reverted to the old association logo.
Dickson said the party approached the court after INEC failed to resolve the issue despite being given sufficient time to do so.
He welcomed the judgment, describing it as a vindication of the NDC’s position and an affirmation of due process.
Following the ruling, Dickson directed NDC candidates and members to immediately begin using the constitutionally approved modified logo on campaign materials, including banners, posters and other publicity materials.
He acknowledged that some candidates and party members might have already produced campaign materials bearing the previous logo and apologised for any inconvenience arising from the change.
Dickson noted that both versions of the logo retain the party’s two-finger victory sign but insisted that the modified version is the authentic logo contained in the party’s constitution and the one more widely recognised.
“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,” he said.
“However, both logos retain the two-finger victory sign. 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 described the dispute as part of what he called “administrative machinations” that the party had continued to encounter.
He assured party members that the NDC would continue to pursue its interests through democratic and legal channels.
The NDC leader said the party would also issue further communication and embark on publicity efforts to ensure that its candidates and members are properly guided on the approved logo.
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