JUST IN: INEC updates NDC’s logo, leadership, uploads modified logo as ordered by court

Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has updated the leadership details of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) on its website and uploaded the party’s modified logo following a judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja directing the electoral body to recognise the design.

The development follows a judgment delivered on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, by Justice J. O. Abdulmalik, which held that INEC’s refusal to permit the modification of the NDC’s colour and logo design was unconstitutional, illegal and an infringement of the party’s rights.

According to the updated information on INEC’s website, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe is listed as the National Chairman of the NDC, with the position marked as updated “by court order.”

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INEC also lists Barrister Ikenna Morgan Enekwelzu as National Secretary, Mr John Odey as National Treasurer, Hon Mainasara Abubakar Sani as National Financial Secretary and Barrister Reuben Egwuaba as National Legal Adviser.

The commission marked each of the five leadership positions as updated “by court order.”

The update follows a suit filed by the NDC against INEC, challenging the commission’s refusal to recognise and upload the party’s modified logo.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1814/2026, was heard by Justice Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

According to a report by Sahara Reporters, the court relied on provisions of the 1999 Constitution, including Sections 7, 14, 40, 221 and 222, as well as Article 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, as applicable in Nigeria.

The court specifically recognised the modified logo adopted by the NDC at its first National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on March 25, 2026.

According to the judgment, the logo is a digitally designed “Two fingers victory sign” with a blue background and the word “NDC” written in red.

Justice Abdulmalik held that INEC’s refusal to recognise the modified logo, despite the party’s alleged compliance with the requirements for its modification, amounted to an infringement of the NDC’s constitutional and statutory rights.

The judge further held that the NDC was entitled to use the modified logo, including its symbol and colours, as its official logo for political activities and elections conducted by INEC.

Justice Abdulmalik consequently ordered INEC to “forthwith approve the modified logo design of the Plaintiff, including its symbol and colours,” for use by the party “for all purposes as a political party including for all elections conducted by the Defendant in Nigeria.”

The court also declared that the modified logo adopted at the NDC’s first NEC meeting “shall be deemed as the proper official logo design of the plaintiff.”

It further ordered that the logo be used by the party for all purposes, including elections conducted by INEC.

The court also issued a perpetual injunction restraining INEC, its officers, servants and agents from stopping or interfering with the NDC’s use of the modified logo.

The judgment specifically barred the commission from interfering with the party’s use of the logo, including its “symbol and colours,” as its official logo.

NDC recounts dispute with INEC

The development comes against the background of a dispute between the NDC and INEC over the party’s logo.

NDC founder, Henry Seriake Dickson, had earlier said the party approved and forwarded its modified logo to INEC after its first NEC meeting.

Dickson said INEC initially uploaded the modified logo but later removed it and reverted to the old logo of the association under which the NDC was originally registered.

“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.

He said the party waited for INEC to resolve the issue before seeking judicial intervention.

“After giving INEC sufficient time to correct the situation without any action taken, we were compelled to go to court,” he said.

Following the judgment, Dickson welcomed the decision, describing it as a victory for the party and a confirmation of its position on the logo.

“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.

He urged NDC candidates and members to immediately begin using the approved logo on campaign materials.

“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,” Dickson said.

The NDC founder acknowledged that some candidates and party members might have already produced campaign materials bearing the previous logo and apologised for the inconvenience.

“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.

Dickson, however, noted that both versions retained the two-finger victory sign and urged party members to transition to the version recognised by the court.

“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,” he said.

He also urged party members not to panic over the development, saying the party had experienced leaders capable of managing the situation.

“I want to assure everyone that the party has experienced and strategic leaders who understand what we are doing. Therefore, nobody should panic,” Dickson said.

He described the dispute as part of what he called “administrative machinations” faced by the party, adding that the NDC would continue to defend its position.