The Federal Government has strongly rejected a ruling by a Canadian Federal Court which designated some Nigerian political parties as “terrorist organizations,” describing the decision as baseless, reckless, and an unacceptable interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, the government said the ruling arose from a case involving a Nigerian, Mr. Douglas Egharevba, who sought asylum in Canada after arriving in the country in 2017.
The ministry criticized the court for making a “sweeping accusation” against the entire membership of a political party that has produced three democratically elected presidents, instead of holding individuals accountable. “The larger ramification of the decision is that every member of the mentioned political parties is a potential terrorist, and that is completely false and unacceptable,” the statement said.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s sovereignty and democratic credentials, the government stressed that all political parties in the country operate within a robust legal and constitutional framework. It warned that associating legitimate political entities with terrorism without credible evidence was a “grave misrepresentation” that could undermine democratic institutions and incite unnecessary tension.
The Federal Government called on Canadian authorities to “immediately retract this erroneous designation” and avoid endorsing what it described as politically motivated narratives against Nigeria. While emphasizing that diplomatic channels remain open, Abuja urged Ottawa to engage relevant Nigerian institutions to resolve the matter.
The statement further highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to the global fight against terrorism, noting that the country has made “significant strides” in countering extremist groups within its borders. It also urged the international community to disregard the Canadian ruling and to reaffirm confidence in Nigeria’s democratic governance and rule of law.
Additionally, the government cautioned Nigerian nationals against making “unfounded allegations” against their homeland under the pretext of seeking asylum or favors abroad.
The statement was signed by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
