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FG Slams Canadian Court’s ‘Reckless’ Labelling of APC, PDP as Terrorist Groups
The Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly condemned a ruling by a Canadian Federal Court that classified the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as terrorist organisations.
The judgement, delivered in an immigration case, has drawn outrage from Nigerian officials, who described it as “reckless, baseless, and an unacceptable interference” in the country’s internal affairs.
Background of the Controversial Ruling
The case involved a Nigerian citizen, Douglas Egharevba, who arrived in Canada in 2017. In seeking refugee status, Egharevba claimed that certain Nigerian political organisations — specifically the APC and PDP — had terrorist links.The court rejected his asylum request on the grounds of his prior association with the two parties, a decision that effectively branded both organisations as having ties to terrorism.
Nigeria Pushes Back
In a statement issued on Friday, August 15, 2025, by Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Government called the court’s verdict “a sweeping and unfounded accusation” that unfairly maligns the millions of Nigerians affiliated with these parties.
“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 statement read.
“The implication is that every member of these political parties is a potential terrorist. That is completely false and unacceptable.”
The government stressed that Nigeria’s political system operates under a robust constitutional and legal framework, and that all recognised political parties — including the APC and PDP — function fully within the law.
Potential Fallout & Diplomatic Warning
According to the statement, the ruling risks spreading misinformation, stoking unnecessary political tension, and undermining Nigeria’s democratic institutions.The Federal Government urged the Canadian authorities to reverse the designation immediately and avoid actions that could be interpreted as endorsing “politically motivated narratives” against Nigeria.
“Nigeria is a sovereign nation with a vibrant democracy. To associate legitimate political entities with terrorism without credible evidence is a grave misrepresentation. We call on the Canadian authorities to engage through diplomatic channels to correct this error,” Ebienfa stated.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed that Nigeria remains open to constructive dialogue but will not tolerate any move that discredits its lawful political processes or damages its international reputation.
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