NDC withholds recognition of Diaspora chapters, gives reason

By Ayoride Oluokun

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) said it has withdrawn recognition of its foreign-based chapters, citing a subsisting court judgment that bars Nigerian political parties from establishing or operating such structures outside the country’s borders.

In a press statement issued on Sunday, October 18, 2026, Osa Director, the National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, the party’s national leadership had reviewed its relationship with the foreign chapters and decided to withhold recognition.

“The NDC wishes to withhold recognition of foreign chapters of the party in the diaspora,” Director stated.

But he added that the party remains “deeply appreciative of the immense support of various foreign chapters in the diaspora” and is “grateful for their unwavering loyalty, guidance, and contributions to the party.”

The NDC spokesperson further revealed that the decision was taken in deference to a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Kekemeke of the FCT High Court in the suit Prof. Ali Alao v. All Progressives Congress (APC) & Anor (Suit No. CV/187/2025).

According to the NDC spokesperson, the court held that “no political party registered in Nigeria has the legal authority to establish, operate or supervise chapters outside the country’s territorial boundaries.”

The judgment further declared that diaspora chapters of Nigerian political parties “were illegal, unconstitutional, and unknown to the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

“Therefore, the NDC, in deference to the said judgment, is halting recognition of foreign chapters of the party and all earlier recognitions are hereby withdrawn,” Director said.

He noted that in jurisdictions where more than one group exists, the party has initiated a harmonization process to bring them under one umbrella. The NDC is currently studying the judgment and has referred it to its Legal Department for further advice and guidance, according to the statement.

However, Director said the party is aware of the “tremendous interest that Nigerians in the diaspora have in our candidates, especially our presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi,” and encouraged them to sustain that interest “with more vigour.”

“We encourage our supporters in the diaspora to continue to meet and interact, and we shall remain in touch with them through appropriate and legal channels,” he added.

He also called on supporters of the party to work towards building “a Nigeria of our dreams” and to “rescue Nigeria from its present state of drift and hopelessness foisted on it by the rudderless APC.”