A Federal High Court has ruled against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in a dispute over the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s modified logo, holding that the commission’s refusal to recognise the design was unconstitutional, illegal and infringed the party’s rights.
Justice Abdulmalik relied on Sections 7, 14, 40, 221 and 222 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The provisions formed part of the legal basis for the decision on the party’s rights and electoral participation.
The NDC adopted the design at its first National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on March 25, 2026. It features a digitally created two-finger victory sign against a blue background, with “NDC” displayed in red.
After the NEC meeting, the party submitted the design to INEC, which initially uploaded it before removing it and reverting to the previous logo, according to NDC founder and National Leader Henry Seriake Dickson.
“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,” Dickson said.
The party waited for the commission to resolve the matter before approaching the court. “After giving INEC sufficient time to correct the situation without any action taken, we were compelled to go to court,” Dickson said.
Justice Abdulmalik ordered INEC to “forthwith approve the modified logo design of the Plaintiff, including its symbol and colours,” for use by the NDC “for all purposes as a political party including for all elections conducted by the Defendant in Nigeria.”
The judge also declared the NEC-approved logo the party’s official logo and issued a perpetual injunction restraining INEC, its officers, servants and agents from stopping or interfering with its use.
INEC has since updated its website following the judgment, with the commission’s NDC listing carrying the designation “BY COURT ORDER” alongside the party’s logo.
Dickson welcomed the decision and said the NDC would issue guidance to its members and candidates. “We therefore commend the judiciary for its timely intervention and welcome the judgment directing INEC to forthwith upload and utilise our modified digital logo,” he said.
