Party Logo: NDC blames INEC for registration dispute after court setback

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has defended its decision to institute legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting it had met all requirements for registration before the electoral body declined its application.

National Secretary of the party, Ikenna Enekweizu, said the NDC approached the court after INEC allegedly refused to register it on the grounds that its logo resembled that of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“We went to court because we had met the condition for registration, but INEC decided whimsically that they wouldn’t register us on the excuse that our logo resembles that of the APC,” Enekweizu said.

His comments come amid fresh legal developments involving the party. The Federal High Court in Lokoja recently ordered INEC to deregister the NDC, reversing an earlier judgment that had compelled the commission to register the political party.

In the ruling, Justice Isah Dashen set aside the previous court order and directed that the party’s registration process should commence afresh in line with established procedures.

The judgment effectively nullifies the registration previously granted to the NDC and requires the party to undergo a new registration process with INEC.

Despite the setback, NDC leaders have maintained that the party satisfied all constitutional and regulatory conditions for registration and are expected to explore further legal options following the court’s latest decision.

INEC is yet to issue a detailed public response to Enekweizu’s latest allegations regarding the party’s initial registration application.