For years, many Nigerians living abroad proudly identified with political parties back home. They organised meetings, held congresses, mobilised supporters and even raised funds in the name of their preferred parties.
On Wednesday, however, a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja delivered a judgment that could permanently change that reality.
In a landmark ruling, the court declared that Nigerian political parties have no constitutional authority to operate official chapters outside the country’s borders, ordering the immediate dissolution of the All Progressives Congress (APC) UK chapter and every other diaspora branch of the ruling party.
Court Says Nigerian Parties Cannot Operate Abroad
Delivering judgment in a suit filed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Justice Peter Kekemeke ruled that the Nigerian Constitution does not permit any registered political party to establish or maintain official structures outside the country.
The judge held that the APC lacked the legal authority to create, supervise or recognise executive committees, governing councils or political chapters in the United Kingdom or any other foreign country.
According to the court, political parties registered in Nigeria are constitutionally limited to operating within Nigeria’s territorial boundaries.
Justice Kekemeke therefore ordered the immediate dissolution of all APC executive committees and governing bodies functioning outside Nigeria.
He also restrained the party from establishing or recognising similar structures in any foreign country going forward.
APC Ordered To Return Over ₦30 Million
Beyond dissolving the foreign chapters, the court also ordered the APC to surrender more than ₦30 million.
The said money was generated through the sale of nomination forms linked to its diaspora congresses.
The funds are to be transferred to INEC.
The electoral commission had argued that the money was collected through structures that had no legal backing under Nigerian law.
Justice Kekemeke agreed, holding that political parties cannot lawfully generate or manage political funds through organisations operating outside Nigeria.
Diaspora Donations Must Be Declared
The court also clarified the rules governing financial support from Nigerians living abroad.
According to the judgment, political parties are under a constitutional obligation to disclose all donations received from individuals or organisations outside Nigeria.
Such contributions must be reported to INEC within the period stipulated by law.
The judge stressed that transparency in political financing remains a constitutional requirement, regardless of where the donor resides.
Nigerians Abroad Can Still Participate In Politics
While dissolving the foreign chapters, the court made one thing clear.
The ruling does not prevent Nigerians in the diaspora from participating in the country’s political process.
Justice Kekemeke said citizens living abroad remain free to campaign, mobilise support, donate legally and identify with political parties of their choice.
However, the court drew a clear line between individual political participation and the establishment of formal party structures outside Nigeria.
According to the judgment, organising congresses, maintaining executive committees or creating official party chapters abroad falls outside what Nigerian law permits.
Managing Foreign Chapters Could Attract Criminal Liability
The ruling also carried a strong warning.
Justice Kekemeke held that anyone who establishes, sponsors or manages foreign chapters of Nigerian political parties could face legal consequences.
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Individuals found collecting membership dues or managing such organisations may be liable to fines of up to ₦5 million as well as possible imprisonment under applicable laws.
INEC Wins All Reliefs
The case, marked CV/187/2025, was instituted by INEC after it challenged the legality of the APC UK chapter.
Following arguments from both parties, the court granted all 14 reliefs sought by the electoral commission, including mandatory orders directing the APC to dismantle its diaspora structures and comply with Nigeria’s constitutional provisions governing political parties.
The judgment now sets a significant legal precedent that could affect every registered political party with organised chapters outside Nigeria.