Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central, has rejected the Peace Movement Party’s claim to the “V for Victory” sign. He argues that this gesture is a global symbol that no unregistered association can claim as its exclusive property.
Speaking with the media, Umeh noted that legal control over political symbols and logos is granted exclusively by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) upon a party’s formal registration. Because the PMP lacks official registration status, he contends they hold no legal standing to monopolize the sign. He cited its historical usage by figures such as Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, and Chief Obafemi Awolowo to illustrate its universal nature.
The senator described the ongoing legal challenges against the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a deliberate attempt to impede the party ahead of the 2027 elections. He alleged that the PMP is functioning as a proxy for this purpose, labeling the court actions as a calculated “judicial ambush” occurring after the affiliation of prominent figures like Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The NDC is currently appealing the matter, with leaders expressing optimism that their right to contest the upcoming election will be upheld.
