The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, is on another collision course with its biggest support base, the Obidient Movement, after announcing the withdrawal of recognition for all its foreign chapters.
The party said the controversial decision was taken to comply with a subsisting court judgment which bars Nigerian political parties from establishing and operating chapters outside the country.
Why NDC Withdrew Recognition For Diaspora Chapters
In a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the NDC said its national leadership carried out a review of its relationship with diaspora groups and resolved to halt all foreign operations.
According to the party, the decision is in deference to the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, in the case of Prof. Ali Alao v. All Progressives Congress, APC & another, suit number CV/187/2025.
The court, in its ruling, held that Nigerian political parties lack the legal authority to establish and operate chapters beyond Nigeria’s territorial boundaries, describing such diaspora chapters as illegal, unconstitutional and not recognised under Nigerian law.
“As a political party committed to the virtues of accountability, transparency, and due process, we are aware of a subsisting court judgment restricting political parties from organising foreign-based chapters,” the statement said.
“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to the said judgment, is halting recognition of foreign chapters of the party and all earlier recognitions are hereby withdrawn.”
The party disclosed that the judgment has been referred to its Legal Department for further examination and legal advice.
Harmonisation Move And Thanks To Diaspora
Despite withdrawing formal recognition, the NDC was quick to appreciate Nigerians in the diaspora for their massive support, especially for its presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.
It said Nigerians abroad remain critical to its 2027 ambition and urged them to sustain their interest.
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“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 we thank them and encourage them to sustain such interest with more vigour,” the statement added.
The party also revealed it has started a harmonisation process in countries where multiple groups claim affiliation with the NDC, to bring them under a unified structure that will operate within the ambit of the law.
Another Showdown Looms
This latest move is set to trigger a fresh face-off between the party leadership and the Obidient/Kwankwasiya Movement. It will be recalled that the NDC had earlier clashed with the movement over the formation of a 59-member presidential campaign council by the independent support groups.
NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, had insisted that the movement should remain a support group without authority to run the party for its leaders, a crisis that has stalled the constitution of the party’s official Presidential Campaign Council barely 90 days to the election.
Meanwhile, the party took a swipe at the ruling APC, accusing it of plunging Nigeria into drift and hopelessness.
“Collectively, we must work hard to build a Nigeria of our dreams. We must rescue Nigeria from its present state of drift and hopelessness foisted on it by the rudderless APC,” it said.
