The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to upload and use the modified digital logo of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The NDC National Leader and former Bayelsa Governor, Sen. Henry Seriake Dickson, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, following the judgment delivered by Justice J.O. Abdulmalik.
Dickson said the judgment followed a suit filed by the party to compel INEC to recognise and use the modified logo contained in its constitution instead of the association logo with which it was initially registered.
According to him, the NDC’s first National Executive Council (NEC) meeting approved and forwarded the modified logo to INEC, which initially uploaded it.
He, however, said the commission later removed the modified logo without communicating any reason to the party and reverted to the old association logo.
Dickson said the party subsequently approached the court after INEC failed to resolve the matter despite being given sufficient time to do so.
He described the judgment as a vindication of the party’s position and a reaffirmation of due process.
The former governor urged NDC candidates and members to immediately begin using the constitutionally approved modified digital logo on campaign materials, including banners, posters and other publicity materials.
He said both logos retained the two-finger victory sign but maintained that the modified logo was the authentic logo provided for 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,” Dickson 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 over the logo as part of what he called “administrative machinations” the party had continued to face.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that separate litigation concerning the NDC’s registration remains before the courts.
A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja had earlier set aside a judgment directing INEC to recognise the party and ordered a fresh hearing. That matter is distinct from the latest Abuja ruling on the modified logo.
