August 15, (THEWILL) — The Federal Government has rejected a ruling by a Canadian court designating Nigeria’s two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as terrorist organisations.
Justice Phuong Ngo of the Federal Court of Canada reportedly upheld a decision that classified the parties as terrorist groups while denying asylum to a Nigerian, Douglas Egharevba, over his decade-long membership in both parties.
Egharevba, who arrived in Canada in September 2017, had applied for inland refugee status under the country’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
On June 17, 2025, Justice Ngo dismissed his application for judicial review after Canada’s Immigration Appeal Division found him inadmissible under the law.
According to the Peoples Gazette, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness argued that the APC and PDP were linked to political violence, democratic subversion, and electoral bloodshed in Nigeria.
Reacting to the judgment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, described the classification as reckless and an unacceptable interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs.
The statement read, “The court made a sweeping accusation against the entire membership of a political party that has produced three democratically elected presidents, instead of focusing on individuals found wanting,”
“The implication is that every member of the mentioned political parties is a potential terrorist, which is false and unacceptable.”
The ministry maintained that Nigeria is a sovereign nation with a robust legal and constitutional framework guiding political activities, stressing that both parties operate within the law and are integral to the country’s democracy.
“To associate legitimate political entities with terrorism without credible evidence is a grave misrepresentation that undermines Nigeria’s democratic institutions and could incite unnecessary tension,” Ebienfa said.
The Nigerian government called on Canadian authorities to withdraw the designation and avoid actions that could be seen as endorsing politically motivated narratives.
It also urged Canada to engage relevant Nigerian institutions through diplomatic channels to address the matter.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
