Loading ...ABUJA, NIGERIA — The lawmaker representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Senator Victor Umeh, has dismissed ownership claims over the “Victory Sign” logo by the Peace Movement Party (PMP). He described the gesture as a universal emblem that cannot be monopolized by an unregistered political association. [1]
Speaking during an interview on Arise News Prime Time, Senator Umeh declared that brand exclusivity in Nigerian politics is strictly a product of statutory law governed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
[VISUAL PLACEHOLDER: Image of Senator Victor Umeh addressing journalists regarding the legal status of the NDC logo]
The Legal Reality of Political Branding
Umeh, a stalwart of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), explained that a symbol or logo only transitions into the legally protected property of a political entity upon the successful completion of registration with the electoral umpire.
“The logo does not belong to the PMP because it is not a registered political party,” Umeh stated explicitly. He emphasized that a symbol only becomes exclusive to a party upon formal registration with INEC. Furthermore, he noted that the “V for Victory” sign is a globally recognized, historical symbol used by leaders like Gandhi, Mandela, and Awolowo, which cannot be monopolized by an unregistered group to restrain a certified party.
Sabotage Allegations Ahead of 2027
The controversy follows a disputed Federal High Court ruling by Justice Inyang Ekwo aimed at stalling the NDC’s registration just after major opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, aligned with the party. Senator Umeh accused the PMP of acting as a proxy to sabotage the NDC’s 2027 electoral participation. He highlighted a rapid legal challenge filed against the NDC immediately following the alignment of these leaders, suggesting a targeted “judicial ambush”.
High Stakes for the Opposition
With the NDC’s registration in question, the case is heading to the Court of Appeal, with leadership confident in upholding their legal right to contest the 2027 election.
