The senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Senator Victor Umeh, has dismissed the claims of the Peace Movement Party (PMP) over ownership of the “V for Victory” sign, describing it as a universal symbol that cannot be monopolised by an unregistered political association.
Umeh, who spoke to journalists, said exclusive rights to political party names, logos and symbols are conferred only by law and regulated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The senator, a chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), explained that a symbol or logo becomes the legally protected property of a political party only after the party has been duly registered by INEC.
“The logo does not belong to the PMP because it is not a registered political party,” Umeh said. “A symbol becomes exclusive to a party only upon formal registration with INEC.”
He added that the “V for Victory” sign is a globally recognised symbol that has historically been used by leaders including Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
According to him, the gesture cannot be appropriated by an unregistered group to prevent a duly registered political party from using it.
The controversy follows a ruling by the Federal High Court that sought to halt the registration of the NDC. The decision came shortly after prominent opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, aligned with the party.
Umeh described the legal action filed against the NDC following the alignment as a targeted “judicial ambush.”
He further alleged that the PMP was being used as a proxy to frustrate the NDC’s participation in the 2027 general election.
With the NDC’s registration now before the Court of Appeal, party leaders expressed confidence that the appellate court would uphold its right to participate in the 2027 general election.
