FG calls Canadian Court verdict on APC, PDP ‘reckless, baseless’

The Federal Government has rejected a Canadian Federal Court ruling that labelled Nigeria’s two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as terrorist organisations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said in a statement on Friday that the court’s decision, linked to an immigration case involving Nigerian national Douglas Egharevba, was “reckless, baseless, and an unacceptable interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs.”

Egharevba, who arrived in Canada in 2017 seeking refugee status, had his case reviewed under allegations that certain Nigerian political parties had terrorist affiliations. The court’s judgment extended the allegations to include the APC and PDP.

“The Court made a sweeping accusation against the entire membership of political parties that have produced democratically elected presidents, instead of focusing on individuals found guilty of offences,” the ministry said. “Such classification is false, unacceptable, and carries dangerous implications.”

The government emphasised that Nigeria’s political parties operate within a strong constitutional and legal framework and warned that the ruling could spread misinformation and heighten tensions.

Urging Ottawa to retract the designation, the FG called on Canadian authorities not to endorse politically motivated claims that misrepresent Nigeria’s democratic system. The government reaffirmed its commitment to fighting terrorism, cooperating on global security, and cautioned citizens against misrepresenting Nigeria for asylum or immigration purposes.

“Nigeria remains committed to the global fight against terrorism and has made significant strides in countering extremism. The international community should disregard this misguided ruling,” the statement concluded.

Daily Watch Nigeria.