FG Blasts Canada Over Classification of PDP, APC as Terrorist Groups
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that the Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly condemned the classification of Nigeria’s two major political parties, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as “terrorist organisations” by a Canadian federal court, describing the ruling as baseless, reckless, and a grave interference in the country’s internal affairs.
OTN News further reports that in a statement signed by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the government described the ruling as “a sweeping and erroneous judgment” that undermines Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
The court’s decision reportedly stemmed from a case involving a Nigerian citizen, Mr. Douglas Egharevba, who arrived in Canada in September 2017 and applied for refugee status under the country’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
According to the Federal Government, the ruling unfairly criminalises millions of legitimate party members by portraying them as potential terrorists.
“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 larger ramification of the decision is that every member of the mentioned political parties is a potential terrorist, and that is completely false and unacceptable,” the statement read.
Nigeria, the government stressed, is a sovereign nation with a robust legal and constitutional framework that guides its democratic process. It warned that linking legitimate political entities to terrorism without credible evidence could incite unnecessary tension and distort global perception of the country.
“Our political parties operate within the ambit of the law and are integral to the country’s vibrant democracy. To associate them with terrorism without proof is a grave misrepresentation that undermines Nigeria’s democratic system,” the government declared.
While reaffirming its commitment to the global fight against terrorism, the government highlighted the significant progress made in countering extremist groups within its borders. It urged the international community to “disregard this misguided ruling and reaffirm its confidence in Nigeria’s democratic governance and rule of law.”
The statement also called on Canadian authorities to immediately retract the designation and to engage with Nigerian institutions through diplomatic channels to correct what it described as a damaging error.
Furthermore, the government cautioned Nigerian nationals against making unfounded allegations against their country in pursuit of asylum or favours abroad. “Such actions only serve to fuel misrepresentations that undermine our collective progress as a nation,” it warned.
However, OTN News observes that the controversy has already sparked concerns about potential diplomatic friction between Nigeria and Canada, with Abuja insisting that it would not allow any external mischaracterisation of its political system or democratic integrity.
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