Renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to urgently take legal steps to clear their names following a controversial Canadian court ruling that classified them as terrorist organisations.
Falana stressed that instead of dismissing or insulting the Canadian judge behind the ruling, the two dominant political parties in Nigeria should move swiftly to legally challenge the judgment to avoid dire international consequences for their members and the country at large.
Canadian Court Labels APC and PDP as Terrorist Groups
The ruling, which has since stirred global debate, raises concerns about the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. The Canadian court reportedly made its determination based on evidence of electoral violence, vote rigging, political intimidation, and impunity associated with Nigeria’s ruling political class.
Falana, in a statement released on Monday, said the decision cannot simply be brushed aside with angry reactions.
“Instead of abusing the Canadian judge, the APC and PDP should, as a matter of urgency, adopt legal measures to prove that they are not terrorist organisations,” he stated.
Electoral Violence and Impunity Strengthened Court’s Decision
The human rights lawyer linked the ruling to Nigeria’s notorious history of violent elections and political misconduct.
“It is common knowledge that both APC and PDP rig elections and announce fake results with the assistance of armed police personnel and soldiers. Concerned citizens who kick against rigging are violently attacked and killed, while the perpetrators are never prosecuted,” Falana argued.
Falana also recalled inflammatory remarks by past and current Nigerian leaders that, in his view, reinforced the image of the country’s politics as hostile and violent. These include:
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s infamous declaration in 2003 that elections were a “do-or-die affair.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2023 campaign remark urging supporters to “fight for power, grab it, snatch it, and run with it.”
According to Falana, such rhetoric, coupled with electoral malpractice and brutality, provides grounds for courts abroad to view Nigerian political parties as operating like terrorist organisations.
Biased Use of the Terrorism Act in Nigeria
Falana further criticised the Nigerian government for what he called a class-biased application of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act.
He noted that while unarmed citizens arrested during peaceful protests such as the #EndHardship or #EndBadGovernance demonstrations are still facing terrorism charges, politicians accused of looting billions of public funds — acts that directly impoverish citizens and even cost lives — are never tried under terrorism laws.
This double standard, he argued, undermines Nigeria’s rule of law and strengthens the perception that the ruling elite act with impunity.
International Implications of the Canadian Court Ruling
Falana warned of far-reaching international consequences if the Canadian ruling is not overturned.
According to him, Nigerians who are members of either the APC or PDP may soon face visa restrictions, denials of asylum applications, or even deportation from countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, and France, if the ruling is registered in those jurisdictions.
“If the ruling is not set aside, it may be registered in the United States, UK, France, etc. The implication is that members of the APC and PDP may be deported or have their visas revoked,” he cautioned.
He added that the collateral damage of such a stigma could extend beyond party members to ordinary citizens, as Nigeria’s global reputation suffers.
Falana’s Call for Urgent Legal Action
To prevent lasting damage to Nigeria’s international standing, Falana advised the Federal Government to immediately engage immigration lawyers and legal experts abroad to challenge the ruling.
“The government should hire immigration lawyers to take urgent action to remove the stigma of infamy contained in the judgment of the Canadian court. The collateral damage of the judgment will certainly affect other citizens since the Government of their homeland has been sponsored by two terrorist political parties,” he said.
Federal Government Reacts
Meanwhile, the Federal Government of Nigeria has described the Canadian court’s designation as “erroneous and misleading.” Officials have called on Canadian authorities to retract the judgment, insisting that the APC and PDP are legitimate political parties operating within Nigeria’s democratic framework.
However, legal experts caution that mere condemnation may not be enough. Without a direct legal challenge, the ruling could still carry weight in international legal and immigration systems.
Key Takeaways
Falana warns APC and PDP to urgently challenge a Canadian court ruling labeling them terrorist organisations.
The judgment was linked to Nigeria’s history of electoral violence, rigging, and political impunity.
International consequences could include visa bans, deportations, and asylum rejections for members of both parties.
Falana criticises Nigeria’s selective use of terrorism laws, where protesters are punished but corrupt politicians go free.
The Federal Government has rejected the ruling, calling on Canada to withdraw the designation.
Femi Falana’s intervention has amplified calls for accountability and reform within Nigeria’s political system. The ruling by a Canadian court underscores how Nigeria’s domestic political misconduct can have international consequences, threatening not only party leaders but also ordinary citizens.
For APC and PDP, the challenge now is not just to win elections at home but to clear their names abroad before the label of terrorism permanently damages Nigeria’s global reputation.
