FG Blasts Canadian Court For Labeling APC, PDP Terrorist Organizations

The Federal Government has condemned a ruling by a Canadian Federal Court that designated some Nigerian political parties as “terrorist organizations,” describing the decision as reckless, baseless, and an unacceptable interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs.

In a statement on Friday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said the judgment arose from an immigration case involving Douglas Egharevba, a Nigerian who sought refugee status in Canada in 2017.

The court alleged that certain political groups in Nigeria had terrorist ties.

The government rejected this classification, warning that it unfairly brands entire political parties instead of addressing individuals who may have committed crimes.

“The Court made a sweeping accusation against the entire membership of a political party that has produced three democratically elected presidents, rather than focusing on individuals found wanting. The implication is that every member of the mentioned political parties is a potential terrorist — which is completely false and unacceptable,” the statement read.

Reaffirming its commitment to democracy, the government stressed that all recognized political parties operate within a strong constitutional and legal framework. It also cautioned that such rulings could spread misinformation and create unnecessary tension.

Calling for the immediate reversal of the decision, the Federal Government urged Canadian authorities to engage directly with Nigeria to correct what it termed a grave misrepresentation.

“Nigeria is a sovereign nation with a vibrant democratic system. Associating legitimate political entities with terrorism without credible evidence is a gross distortion that undermines our institutions,” the statement added.

The government also emphasized its continued fight against terrorism and commitment to global security cooperation, urging the international community to dismiss the court’s ruling.

Officials further warned Nigerians against making unfounded allegations about the country to foreign governments for asylum or personal gain, noting such actions damage Nigeria’s image.

“Nigeria remains committed to the global fight against terrorism and has made significant progress in countering extremist groups. We call on the international community to disregard this misguided decision and reaffirm confidence in Nigeria’s democratic governance and rule of law,” the statement concluded.