Court Declares APC UK Congress Illegal, Bans Diaspora Chapters

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama ruled on Wednesday that the All Progressives Congress (APC) chapter in the United Kingdom was illegal, stating that Nigerian political parties do not have the legal backing to operate diaspora chapters outside Nigeria. Justice Peter Kekemek delivered the judgment, which invalidated the APC's congress conducted in the UK, thereby ending legal disputes regarding the establishment of political party branches abroad.

The court emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution does not recognize the existence of political party chapters outside the country's territorial boundaries. Consequently, the APC UK congress was declared null and void.

The court also ordered the recovery of N30 million collected unlawfully by the APC UK chapter, which exceeded the amount sought by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The ruling has significant implications for political parties operating diaspora networks, as it prohibits the formal establishment of such chapters.