Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to prove they are not terrorist organisations. His call followed a ruling by Canadian Federal Court judge Phuong Ngo, who described both parties as entities that engage in violence, coercion, and subversion of democratic institutions in their struggle for power. The ruling came while dismissing the asylum appeal of a Nigerian citizen, Douglas Egharevba.
Falana stressed that the ruling has serious consequences, noting that Nigeria’s own Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 defines terrorism to include the use of violence and intimidation for political motives. He argued that such practices, including election rigging, the use of armed thugs, and attacks on voters, are widespread in Nigerian elections, often without accountability.
He criticised the dismissive responses of both parties, with APC labeling the judge “ignorant” and PDP calling the decision “mischievous.” According to him, such reactions ignore the substance of the allegations. Instead, he advised the parties to adopt legal measures to clear their names and demonstrate compliance with democratic principles and the rule of law.
Falana warned that the Canadian ruling could have international repercussions, potentially leading to visa denials or deportations of APC and PDP members abroad if the judgment is recognised in countries like the US or UK. He called on the federal government to hire immigration lawyers to mitigate the damage and urged stronger enforcement of electoral laws in Nigeria, stressing the need to restore credibility and confidence in the nation’s democratic process.
