The Nigerian government has strongly condemned a Canadian Federal Court decision that designated the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Nigeria’s two leading political parties as “terrorist organisations.” Abuja described the ruling as unjustified, reckless, and a direct interference in the country’s internal affairs.
In a statement released on Friday, August 15, 2025, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said the judgment not only lacked merit but also undermined Nigeria’s sovereignty and democratic institutions.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria expresses deep concern over the recent ruling by a Canadian Federal Court that erroneously designates certain political parties in Nigeria as ‘terrorist organisations,’” the statement read. “This is a baseless and unacceptable generalization.”
The controversial decision was tied to the asylum case of Douglas Egharevba, a Nigerian national who entered Canada in 2017. His application was rejected by Justice Phuong T.V. Ngo on June 17, 2025, who ruled that Egharevba’s association with the PDP rendered him inadmissible under section 34(1)(f) of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
The court further cited accusations reportedly from court filings referenced by Peoples Gazette that both the PDP and APC have been involved in political violence, voter intimidation, electoral fraud, and even murder in their bid for power.
Nigeria’s government, however, pushed back strongly against what it called a sweeping and harmful mischaracterization.
“The court made a blanket accusation against a political party that has produced three democratically elected presidents,” Abuja argued. “Such a ruling implies that every party member is a potential terrorist, which is entirely false and unacceptable.”
Highlighting Nigeria’s democratic credentials, the government emphasized that all political parties in the country function under a constitutional and legal framework.
“Nigeria is a sovereign nation with robust democratic institutions. To associate legitimate political parties with terrorism without credible evidence is not only a gross misrepresentation, but also a move that could stoke unnecessary diplomatic and political tension,” the statement added.
Abuja has now called on the Canadian government to formally retract the ruling and engage Nigerian authorities through diplomatic channels to correct what it views as a grave error.
“Nigeria urges the Canadian government to avoid actions that may appear to endorse politically motivated narratives. We remain open to constructive dialogue and expect this matter to be resolved through diplomatic means.”
The government also cautioned against the misuse of asylum claims to malign Nigeria’s reputation.
“While Nigeria remains a committed partner in the global fight against terrorism, we call on the international community to disregard this flawed ruling and continue to trust in Nigeria’s commitment to democratic governance and the rule of law,” the statement concluded.
It further advised Nigerian citizens to avoid making unsubstantiated allegations for the purpose of obtaining asylum or favours abroad.
The APC and PDP continue to dominate Nigeria’s political landscape, having alternated leadership since the return to civilian rule in 1999.
