NDC Logo Court Order Clears New Design for 2027 Elections

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered INEC to upload and use the modified digital logo of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 elections.

NDC National Leader Seriake Dickson, a former Governor of Bayelsa State, announced the development in a statement issued on Wednesday.

According to Dickson, the electoral commission had previously accepted and uploaded the party’s new logo. However, INEC later removed it without giving the party a reason and continued using the old logo under which the association was originally registered.

The party subsequently turned to the courts after its requests for INEC to update its records produced no result. Justice J. O. Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has now granted the party’s request.

“Fellow Party Members and Nigerians,

“It is our pleasure to announce that yesterday, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, presided over by Hon. Justice J. O. Abdulmalik, granted the prayers of the NDC in a suit seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to upload and utilise our modified digital logo, as contained in our party’s constitution, instead of the association logo with which the NDC was originally registered.

“The party had, at our first NEC meeting, approved and forwarded our modified logo to INEC, which subsequently uploaded it. However, without any reason communicated to us, INEC later removed the modified logo and insisted on using the old logo of the association, a position we disagreed with. After giving INEC sufficient time to correct the situation without any action taken, we were compelled to go to court.

“We therefore commend the judiciary for its timely intervention and welcome the judgment directing INEC to forthwith upload and utilise our modified digital logo. We commend the judiciary for upholding the party’s legitimate position and ensuring that due process is respected,” Dickson wrote.

Following the ruling, Dickson urged NDC candidates and members to begin using the new logo in all party and campaign materials. He also assured members that there was no reason to panic about the party’s position ahead of the2027 elections.

The party leader acknowledged that some candidates may already have produced materials carrying the previous logo. He said the NDC understood the inconvenience created by the change and asked members to transition to the logo approved in the party’s constitution.

“We also commend all party members, particularly our candidates, for their patience and understanding throughout this period. We urge all candidates and party members to forthwith adopt and utilise the approved logo in all campaign materials, including banners, posters and other publicity materials.

“I want to assure everyone that the party has experienced and strategic leaders who understand what we are doing. Therefore, nobody should panic. Members are free to raise questions and concerns, but there is absolutely no reason for panic.

“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. 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.

“We regard the challenges surrounding this matter as part of the administrative machinations we have continued to confront. But we want to assure our members that we are democratic fighters. We do not run away from battles.

“We thank God that the judiciary has once again vindicated our position.

“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,” Dickson added in the statement.

The NDC also plans to conduct sensitisation activities to help members, candidates and voters understand the approved logo and support its wider adoption.

“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. There is still time to do so.

“We thank all our members, candidates and supporters for their patience, understanding and steadfastness.

“Together, we remain focused in SERVICE. Together, we move forward.

“NDC all the way,” the statement concluded.

The NDC logo court order now gives the party a clear directive from the court as it prepares for the 2027 electoral cycle, while the party begins the process of ensuring that its candidates and supporters use the constitutionally approved design.

Will the court ruling settle the NDC’s logo dispute with INEC ahead of the 2027 elections?