A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama has ruled that diaspora chapters operated by Nigerian political parties have no legal backing under the country’s constitution, declaring the United Kingdom chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) unlawful.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Peter Kekemeke on Wednesday, also invalidated the APC congress conducted in the United Kingdom, bringing to an end a legal dispute over whether Nigerian political parties can establish and operate branches outside the country.
The case was instituted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in a suit marked CV/187/2025. The electoral body had asked the court to determine the legality of the APC’s UK chapter and the congress conducted by the group.
In his decision, Justice Kekemeke held that the Nigerian Constitution and existing electoral laws do not recognise diaspora chapters of political parties registered in the country.
He stated that no political party has the authority to establish, maintain or conduct official party activities beyond Nigeria’s territorial boundaries.
The court ruled that while Nigerians living abroad are free to support political candidates and participate in political discussions relating to their country, political parties themselves cannot legally create formal structures or chapters outside Nigeria.
According to the judgment, any congress, meeting or official activity conducted under the platform of a diaspora chapter lacks constitutional validity. The court therefore nullified the APC UK congress and all actions arising from it.
Justice Kekemeke further held that political parties are not empowered to organise congresses for members residing outside Nigeria. He said the constitution clearly defines the framework within which political parties can operate and does not provide room for the establishment of overseas chapters.
The court also issued warnings regarding the operation and administration of such groups. It held that any political party, organisation or individual involved in creating, sponsoring or promoting a diaspora chapter of a Nigerian political party acts outside the law.
The judge added that persons who preside over or manage such chapters, especially those involved in collecting membership dues, levies or financial contributions, could face legal consequences. He noted that such actions constitute offences punishable under the law, including fines and possible imprisonment.
A major aspect of the ruling concerned funds generated through the activities of the APC UK chapter. The court ordered that more than N30 million realised from the sale of forms connected to the congress be transferred to INEC.
INEC had argued before the court that the congress and other activities carried out by the APC’s UK chapter violated the constitutional and legal framework regulating political parties in Nigeria. The commission maintained that it was entitled to recover funds collected through what it described as an unlawful process.
The electoral body also informed the court that monies generated from the congress exceeded N30 million and sought orders compelling the recovery of the funds.
In the final judgment, the court granted all 14 reliefs sought by INEC, including several mandatory orders requested by the commission.
The ruling is expected to have significant implications for political parties that maintain structures among Nigerians living abroad. For years, several parties have operated diaspora networks aimed at mobilising support, fundraising and coordinating political activities among citizens outside the country.
However, the court’s decision has now established that such structures cannot function as official chapters of political parties registered in Nigeria.
