The Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly criticized a recent ruling by a Canadian Federal Court which labelled certain Nigerian political parties as “terrorist organisations,” describing the decision as reckless, baseless, and an unacceptable interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs.
The ruling emerged in relation to an immigration case involving Nigerian national, Douglas Egharevba, who sought asylum in Canada in 2017. The court’s judgment referenced alleged links between some Nigerian political organisations and terrorist activity.
In a statement signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the Nigerian government rejected the classification, asserting that it unfairly targeted entire political organisations rather than focusing on individuals who may have committed offences.
“The court made a sweeping generalization against a political party that has produced three democratically elected presidents. This classification implies that all its members are terrorists — an accusation that is entirely false and unacceptable,” the statement read.
The government maintained that Nigeria operates under a strong legal and constitutional framework, and all recognized political parties function within the bounds of the law. It warned that the Canadian court’s decision risks promoting misinformation and igniting unwarranted tensions.
Calling on Canadian authorities to reverse the decision, the ministry urged a diplomatic resolution and engagement with Nigerian institutions to correct the narrative.
“Nigeria remains committed to the global fight against terrorism and has made considerable progress in tackling extremism. The international community should disregard this misguided ruling,” the statement added.
Additionally, the government cautioned Nigerian nationals against making false claims about the country to gain asylum or immigration benefits abroad.
The statement concluded by reaffirming Nigeria’s dedication to democratic values and the rule of law, while calling on global partners to support, rather than undermine, its democratic processes.
