Court Declares Party Diaspora Chapters Illegal, Nullifies APC UK Congress

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama has ruled that diaspora chapters of Nigerian political parties have no legal backing and has nullified the All Progressives Congress congress held in the United Kingdom.

Justice Peter Kekemeke delivered the judgment on Wednesday in a suit filed by the Independent National Electoral Commission, marked CV/187/2025. The case asked the court to decide whether the APC UK chapter and its congress could stand under Nigerian law.

The court held that Nigeria’s constitution and electoral laws do not recognise foreign chapters of political parties registered in the country. It said parties may not establish formal structures, organise congresses or conduct official party activities outside Nigeria’s territory.

The judge said Nigerians living abroad remain free to support candidates and take part in political discussions, but that this does not give registered parties the power to run official chapters abroad.

The ruling nullified the APC UK congress and actions that came from it. Daily Post reported that the decision brings the legal dispute over party structures outside Nigeria to a close for now.

Sources: Vanguard, Daily Post