The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has withdrawn recognition of its diaspora chapters following a court judgment restricting Nigerian political parties from establishing and operating formal branches outside the country.
The decision, announced on Sunday, has raised questions about how the party will organise its supporters abroad ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly amid reported support for its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, among Nigerians in the diaspora.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the party said the move was necessary to comply with an existing court ruling.
According to the NDC, the decision does not reflect a lack of appreciation for the contributions and support it has received from Nigerians and groups operating outside the country. Rather, it said the action was guided by its commitment to the rule of law and established legal procedures.
“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.
Court Judgment Behind NDC’s Decision
The party cited 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.
According to the NDC, the court held that political parties registered in Nigeria lacked the legal authority to establish, operate or supervise chapters outside the country’s territorial boundaries.
The party said the judgment informed its decision to withdraw recognition previously granted to its foreign-based chapters.
“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the judgement, the NDC is halting recognition of foreign chapters of the party, and all earlier recognitions are hereby withdrawn,” the statement added.
The announcement effectively ends the formal recognition of the affected diaspora chapters, although the party did not announce a general ban on individual supporters abroad expressing political opinions or supporting its activities within the limits of applicable laws.
Party Begins Harmonisation Process
Beyond withdrawing recognition, the NDC disclosed that it had commenced a harmonisation exercise in jurisdictions where multiple groups had emerged under its name.
The process is intended to address organisational differences and bring the various groups under a single umbrella, although the party did not provide details of the locations or identify the specific chapters affected.
The party also revealed that its legal department was reviewing the judgment to determine its implications and provide further guidance.
The outcome of that review could help clarify how the NDC intends to maintain contact with Nigerians abroad without establishing formal structures that conflict with the court’s position.
What Does This Mean for Peter Obi’s Supporters Abroad?
The development comes amid reports that Peter Obi, the NDC’s presidential candidate, has attracted support from Nigerians living outside the country.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party and attracted considerable attention from supporters both within Nigeria and in the diaspora.
During the 2023 election cycle, members of his support base abroad reportedly contributed financial and other forms of assistance to his political movement.
However, the NDC’s latest announcement concerns the legal recognition of diaspora chapters and does not indicate a change in the party’s position on Obi or his supporters.
The statement did not identify any particular diaspora group as a target of the decision or suggest that the withdrawal was prompted by support for the presidential candidate.
2027 Elections: Diaspora Political Activities in Focus
The NDC’s decision has brought renewed attention to the distinction between individual political participation by Nigerians abroad and the formal establishment of overseas branches by political parties registered in Nigeria.
Nigerians in the diaspora have continued to participate in political discussions, promote candidates through social media and provide various forms of support to political movements at home.
However, the legal status of formal party structures outside Nigeria raises separate questions from the activities of individual supporters.
For now, the NDC says its decision is based on compliance with the court judgment, while its legal department continues to examine the implications of the ruling.
How the party will organise and engage its supporters abroad under the applicable legal framework remains an important question as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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