Senator Victor Umeh of Anambra Central Senatorial District has disputed the Peace Movement Party’s (PMP) claims to ownership of the “V for Victory” sign, describing it as a worldwide symbol that cannot be monopolised by an unregistered political party.
Umeh, speaking to journalists, stated that exclusive rights to political party names, logos, and insignia are granted solely by law and governed by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The senator, a member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), noted that a symbol or logo becomes legally protected property of a political party only once it has been properly registered with INEC.
“The logo does not belong to the PMP because it is not a registered political party,” Umeh replied. “A symbol becomes exclusive to a party only upon formal registration with INEC.”
He went on to say that the “V for Victory” emblem is well-known around the world and has been utilised by leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
According to him, an unregistered group cannot use the gesture to prohibit a properly registered political party from using it.
The disagreement stems from a Federal High Court order that sought to halt the NDC’s registration. The decision came shortly after significant opposition figures including Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso joined the party.
Umeh called the legal proceedings taken against the NDC following the alignment as a “judicial ambush.”
He further claimed that the PMP was being utilised as a proxy to thwart the NDC’s participation in the 2027 national election.
With the NDC’s registration currently before the Court of Appeal, party leaders are confident that the appellate court will uphold the party’s right to participate in the 2027 general election.