FG Demands Canada Withdraw ‘Erroneous’ Terrorist Label on APC, PDP

The Federal Government has condemned a Canadian court ruling that classified Nigeria’s two leading political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as organisations linked to terrorism.

In a judgment delivered on June 17, 2025, Justice Phuong Ngo of the Federal Court of Canada upheld a decision by the country’s Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), which denied asylum to Nigerian national Douglas Egharevba.

The ruling cited his past membership of the PDP (1999–2007) and APC (2007–2017) as grounds for “democratic subversion,” effectively treating affiliation with the parties as a disqualifying factor for entry into Canada.

Reacting to the decision, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa described the classification as “baseless, reckless, and an unacceptable interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs.”
“We categorically reject this designation. Political parties are recognised institutions in Nigeria’s constitutional democracy, and equating them with terrorism is factually wrong and diplomatically offensive,” the statement read.

The APC and PDP have both rejected the ruling, describing it as misinformed and outside the jurisdiction of the Canadian court.

Former NNPC spokesperson Olufemi Soneye warned the ruling could have far-reaching consequences for Nigerians abroad, including visa denials or asylum rejections for citizens with past political affiliations.

The Federal Government has called on Canadian authorities to withdraw the designation, warning that it undermines democratic processes and sets a dangerous precedent. Canada has yet to issue an official response.