Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has called on Nigeria’s major political parties, APC and PDP, to prove they are not terrorist organizations following a controversial Canadian Federal Court ruling.
The Canadian court, led by Justice Phuong Ngo, described both parties as entities that have engaged in conduct amounting to terrorism while dismissing the asylum appeal of Nigerian Douglas Egharevba. According to the ruling, the parties allegedly use violence, coercion, and subversion of democratic institutions to gain political power.
Falana criticized the parties’ responses — with APC calling the judge “ignorant” and PDP labeling the decision “mischievous” — saying neither addressed the serious issues raised. “Instead of attacking the Canadian judge, both parties should urgently adopt legal measures to prove they are not terrorist organisations,” he said.
The SAN also urged the Federal Government to engage immigration lawyers promptly, warning that the ruling could affect Nigerians abroad, including visa revocations or deportations. He stressed that Nigerian security agencies and judges must ensure political parties operate strictly within constitutional and legal boundaries, especially during elections.
