A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama has declared the United Kingdom chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, illegal
The court also ruled that diaspora chapters operated by Nigerian political parties have no legal backing under the country’s constitution.

Justice Peter Kekemeke, while delivering the judgment 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.

It will be recalled that INEC had asked the court to determine the legality of the APC’s UK chapter and the congress conducted by the group.

The judge, in his decision, held that the Nigerian Constitution and existing electoral laws do not recognise diaspora chapters of political parties registered in the country. APC Party Merchandise

According to him, 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.

The judge held that 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.

Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has capped a remarkable debut season in England by finishing as the goalkeeper with the highest save percentage in the 2025/26 Barclays Women’s Super League.

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The Brighton & Hove Albion shot-stopper recorded an impressive 74.7 per cent save rate, narrowly beating Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton, who finished with 74.6 per cent, while Manchester United’s Phallon Tullis-Joyce placed third on 73.6 per cent.

Nnadozie, who joined Brighton from Paris FC on a free transfer in July 2025, quickly established herself as one of the league’s finest goalkeepers.

Across 19 league appearances, the 24-year-old faced 83 shots on target and denied 62 of them, underlining her consistency in one of Europe’s most competitive women’s leagues.

The Nigerian international also kept six clean sheets and prevented an estimated 3.3 goals, with her performances playing a key role in Brighton’s competitive campaign.

Earlier in the season, Nnadozie won the WSL Save of the Month award following a spectacular fingertip stop against Liverpool. That effort also earned her a nomination for the league’s Save of the Season honour.

Beyond her individual accolades, the former Paris FC goalkeeper was instrumental in Brighton’s historic run to their first-ever Women’s FA Cup final.

Although the Seagulls narrowly lost to Manchester City at Wembley, Nnadozie produced another standout display with six crucial saves.

Her impressive campaign also saw her finish joint-fourth in the WSL clean sheets chart, further cementing her reputation as one of England’s elite goalkeepers.

The outstanding season adds to an already glittering year for the Super Falcons star, who was crowned CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year for a record third consecutive time and finished fourth in the race for the Yashin Trophy.

Nnadozie has now switched her focus to international duty after linking up with the Super Falcons in Morocco ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where Nigeria will be chasing a record-extending 11th continental title.

With her confidence soaring after a stellar maiden season in England, the Brighton goalkeeper will be expected to play a pivotal role in the Falcons’ quest for African glory.