{
  "id": 15455974,
  "title": "NDC withdraws recognition of diaspora chapters over court judgment",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/ndc-withdraws-recognition-of-diaspora-chapters-over-court-judgment-15455974",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T17:38:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/ndc-withdraws-recognition-of-diaspora-chapters-over-court-judgment/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has withdrawn its recognition of chapters operating outside Nigeria due to a court judgment. In a statement issued in Abuja, the party's National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, announced that all previously granted recognition to foreign chapters has been withdrawn. This decision comes in response to a ruling by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, which declared that no Nigerian political party has the legal authority to establish, operate, or supervise chapters outside the country's borders. The court also deemed diaspora chapters of Nigerian political parties as illegal and unconstitutional. Despite the withdrawal of formal recognition, the NDC expressed appreciation for the support of Nigerians in the diaspora, particularly in backing its candidates for the 2027 general elections. The party is committed to accountability, transparency, and due process and will abide by the court's judgment while seeking further legal guidance.",
  "summary": "The Nigeria Democratic Congress has withdrawn recognition of its diaspora chapters, citing a court judgment declaring such foreign branches illegal. Read More: https://punchng.com/ndc-withdraws-recognition-of-diaspora-chapters-over-court-judgment/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "NDC withdraws recognition of diaspora chapters over court judgment",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/ndc-withdraws-recognition-of-diaspora-chapters-over-court-judgment",
        "published": "2026-10-18T17:34:32.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}