Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Nigeria Democratic Congress, on Sunday, withdrew recognition for its diaspora chapters, citing a court judgement restricting political parties in Nigeria from establishing branches outside the country.
NDC disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director.
The party, while acknowledging the support of its members based abroad, said it could not formally recognise diaspora chapters in compliance with the court ruling.
“As a political party committed to the virtues of accountability, transparency, and due process, we are aware of a subsisting court judgement restricting political parties from organising foreign-based chapters,” the statement read.
NDC cited the case of Prof. Ali Alao v. All Progressives Congress, APC, & Anor, Suit No. CV/187/2025, in which Justice Peter Kekemeke of the FCT High Court in Abuja reportedly ruled that no political party registered in Nigeria had the legal authority to establish, operate or supervise chapters outside the country’s territorial boundaries.
The party said the court also held that diaspora chapters of Nigerian political parties were illegal, unconstitutional and not recognised under Nigerian law.
“In compliance with the judgement, the NDC is halting recognition of foreign chapters of the party, and all earlier recognitions are hereby withdrawn,” the statement added.
But the party disclosed that it had begun a harmonisation process in jurisdictions where multiple groups exist, with a view to bringing them under a single umbrella.
It further stated that its legal department was reviewing the judgement to provide additional advice and guidance on the matter.
Peter Obi, identified in the report as the NDC presidential candidate, is reportedly gaining support among Nigerians in the diaspora, with some of his supporters joining the party.
During the 2023 election, Obi, who was Labour Party’s presidential candidate, reportedly received financial and other forms of support from Nigerians in Diaspora.
