Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has challenged Nigeria’s two dominant parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to prove they are not terrorist organisations, following a damning ruling by a Canadian Federal Court.
The court, presided over by Justice Phuong Ngo, had dismissed the asylum plea of a Nigerian, Douglas Egharevba, on the grounds that the APC and PDP - to which he belonged - qualify as “terrorist organisations” under Canadian law. The judge cited the parties’ alleged reliance on violence, coercion, and manipulation of democratic institutions to win power.
Reacting in a statement on Monday, Falana warned that the judgment carries serious implications for Nigeria, insisting that both parties cannot simply dismiss it as the product of ignorance or mischief.
“It is common knowledge that APC and PDP rig elections and announce fake results with the assistance of armed thugs, police and military personnel,” he said. “Violence, killings and attacks on voters have repeatedly marred electoral processes without anyone held accountable.”
He criticised the immediate responses of the APC, which branded the judge “ignorant,” and the PDP, which described the ruling as “mischievous.” According to him, such reactions fail to engage with the substance of the allegations.
“Instead of abusing the Canadian judge, the APC and PDP should urgently adopt legal measures to prove that they are not terrorist organisations,” he maintained.
Falana also urged the Federal Government to intervene swiftly, warning that the ruling could lead to visa denials or deportations for Nigerians linked to the APC and PDP if recognised internationally.
“If the ruling is registered in the United States, United Kingdom, France and elsewhere, members of the APC and PDP may have their visas revoked and may be deported,” he cautioned.
He added that diplomatic protests alone would not suffice, stressing the need for Nigeria to engage immigration lawyers abroad while also addressing the root problem at home.
“The federal government should hire immigration lawyers to take urgent action to remove the stigma of infamy contained in the judgment,” he said. “The collateral damage will certainly affect other citizens since the government of their homeland has been sponsored by two terrorist political parties.”
Falana concluded by calling for strict enforcement of the Electoral Act and prosecution of those involved in electoral violence, warning that Nigeria must restore trust in its democratic process both domestically and internationally.
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