NDC on another collision course with Obidient Movement
NDC on another collision course with Obidient Movement
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) may be on another collision course with the Obidient Movement after withdrawing recognition of its chapters operating outside Nigeria. NigerianCulture Magazine
The party cited a subsisting court judgment restricting political parties from establishing and operating foreign-based chapters.
The party said the decision followed a review by its national leadership of its relationship with diaspora groups and was intended to ensure compliance with the law.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the NDC said all previous recognitions granted to its foreign chapters had been withdrawn in deference to the judgment.
The party, however, expressed appreciation to Nigerians in the diaspora for their support and contributions, particularly their interest in its presidential candidate, Peter Obi. NigerianCulture Magazine
The statement cited the case of Prof. Ali Alao v. All Progressives Congress (APC) & another in suit CV/187/2025, in which Justice Peter Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja ruled that Nigerian political parties lacked the legal authority to establish and operate chapters outside the country’s territorial boundaries.
According to the NDC, the court held that diaspora chapters of Nigerian political parties were illegal, unconstitutional and not recognised under Nigerian law.
The party said it had referred the judgment to its Legal Department for further examination and advice.
“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.
It added: “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to the said judgment, is halting recognition of foreign chapters of the party and all earlier recognitions are hereby withdrawn.”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 said it had also initiated a harmonisation process in jurisdictions where multiple groups claimed affiliation with the NDC, with a view to bringing them under a unified structure.
Despite the withdrawal of formal recognition, the party encouraged its supporters in the diaspora to sustain their interest in its activities and candidates.
It said Nigerians living abroad remained important to the party’s political aspirations and urged them to continue engaging with one another through appropriate channels.
“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 said.
The NDC added that it would maintain communication with diaspora supporters through arrangements consistent with the law.
The party criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing it of contributing to what it described as Nigeria’s current state of uncertainty.
It called on Nigerians at home and abroad to remain committed to its vision of national renewal.
“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,” the statement said.
Before now, the NDC clashed with Obidient/Kwankwasiya Movement, the independent political groups supporting Obi and Kwankwaso – over the formation of a 59-member presidential campaign council by the movement to run the campaigns for the candidates.
NDC National Leader Senator Seriake Dickson argued that the movement should remain what they are as a support group without any authority to run the party for its leaders.
Because of the faceoff, the party has not been able to constitute its PCC barely 90 dayds to the election.
