The Federal Government of Nigeria has firmly rejected and expressed deep concerns over a recent ruling by a Canadian Federal Court that designated some Nigerian political parties as “terrorist organizations.” The decision, which stems from a case involving a Nigerian citizen, Mr. Douglas Egharevba, who arrived in Canada in September 2017 and sought refugee status under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act of Canada, has been described by Nigerian authorities as baseless, reckless, and an unacceptable interference in the country’s internal affairs and democratic processes.
According to Nigeria, the Canadian Court’s ruling made sweeping and unfounded accusations against an entire political party that has produced three democratically elected presidents. Instead of isolating individuals who may have been found culpable of wrongdoing, the court’s judgment unfairly stigmatized all members of the party, branding them as potential terrorists. This, Nigeria insists, is not only false and unacceptable but also a grave misrepresentation of its democratic institutions.
Nigeria maintains that it is a sovereign nation with a strong legal and constitutional framework that governs political activities. Political parties in the country operate within the ambit of the law and remain central to the stability of Nigeria’s vibrant democracy. Associating such legitimate entities with terrorism, without credible evidence, is misleading and could generate unnecessary diplomatic tensions while undermining the confidence of citizens in their democratic institutions.
The Nigerian government has therefore called on Canadian authorities to urgently retract the erroneous designation and to avoid actions that may be misconstrued as supporting politically motivated narratives against Nigeria. Diplomatic channels, according to the Federal Government, remain open for constructive dialogue. Nigeria further urges Canada to engage directly with the relevant institutions of the Nigerian government to properly understand the realities on the ground and correct this serious error.
Nigeria also reaffirmed its strong commitment to the global fight against terrorism, noting that the country has made significant progress in countering extremist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP within its borders. It emphasized that labeling lawful political parties as terrorist organizations not only undermines Nigeria’s sacrifices in combating terrorism but also distorts the global understanding of Nigeria’s political environment.
Furthermore, the Federal Government cautioned Nigerian citizens against making unverified and damaging allegations against the country in their quest for asylum or immigration benefits abroad. Such actions, it warned, not only jeopardize Nigeria’s international image but also embolden false narratives that could harm the country diplomatically and economically.
The Nigerian government is urging the international community to disregard the misguided Canadian ruling and instead reaffirm confidence in Nigeria’s democratic governance, rule of law, and sovereignty. Nigeria remains open to partnership and constructive engagement with friendly nations in advancing democracy, human rights, and the fight against terrorism.
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