The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has withdrawn recognition of its diaspora chapters following a court judgment reportedly restricting political parties registered in Nigeria from establishing and operating branches outside the country.Follow Politics

Politics Nigeria reports that the party announced the development in a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director.

It explained that the decision was based on the need to comply with an existing court ruling, despite acknowledging the support it had received from members and groups operating outside Nigeria.

According to the party, its position is guided by the need to respect the law and follow established legal procedures.Nigeria travel guide

It maintained that the existence of a court judgment on the matter meant it could not continue to grant formal recognition to its foreign-based chapters.

“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.

The NDC referred to the case of Prof. Ali Alao v. All Progressives Congress (APC) & Anor, Suit No. CV/187/2025, which it said resulted in a ruling by Justice Peter Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.Nigerian political news

The party stated that the court held that political parties registered in Nigeria lacked the legal authority to establish, operate or supervise chapters beyond the country’s territorial boundaries.

It also cited the judgment as the basis for treating diaspora chapters as unlawful under the country’s existing legal framework.

“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the judgement, the NDC is halting recognition of foreign chapters of the party, and all earlier recognitions are hereby withdrawn,” the statement added.Nigeria travel guide

The announcement effectively ends the formal recognition previously granted to the affected diaspora chapters, although the statement did not indicate that individual supporters living abroad would be barred from expressing support for the party or participating in political discussions within the limits of applicable laws.

The party also disclosed that it had commenced a harmonisation process in jurisdictions where multiple groups had emerged under its name.

The exercise is intended to bring the different groups under a single umbrella as the party works to address organisational questions arising from its activities outside Nigeria.

Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC Party Logo
Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC Party Logo
The NDC further said its legal department was reviewing the judgment to determine the implications for the party and provide additional guidance.

The review could help clarify how the party intends to maintain contact with Nigerians abroad without formally operating structures that may conflict with the court’s position.

The withdrawal of recognition also raises questions about the organisational arrangements of political parties seeking support from Nigerians in the diaspora ahead of the 2027 elections.

Nigerians living abroad have, over the years, participated in politics, promoted candidates on social media and contributed financial and other forms of support to political movements at home.Nigeria travel guide

However, the extent to which such activities may be organised through formal party structures is a separate question from whether individuals can support political parties or candidates from outside the country.

The NDC’s statement focused on the recognition of foreign chapters and did not announce a general prohibition on individual diaspora supporters.

NDC’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi has reportedly attracted support from Nigerians living abroad, including people said to have joined the party.

The former governor of Anambra State and the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, received considerable attention from Nigerians at home and abroad during that election cycle.

Members of his support base outside the country reportedly provided financial assistance and other forms of backing to his political movement.

The latest decision, however, concerns the legal recognition of diaspora chapters rather than an announced change in the party’s position on Obi or his supporters.Follow Politics

The statement did not identify the individual chapters affected, provide a breakdown of their locations or explain whether any specific group had been singled out because of its support for the presidential candidate.