Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has advised Nigeria’s two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to take immediate legal steps to contest a recent Canadian court ruling that described them as terrorist organisations.
In a statement released on Monday, Falana said that rather than trading insults with the Canadian court, both parties should focus on legally clearing their names. “Instead of abusing the Canadian judge, the APC and PDP should, as a matter of urgency, adopt legal measures to prove that they are not terrorist organisations,” he stated.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) tied the ruling to Nigeria’s troubled electoral history, pointing to violent elections, rigging, and political impunity, which he said lend credibility to the Canadian court’s findings. He argued that the nation’s major political parties have a record of manipulating elections with the backing of security forces, often leading to violence against dissenting citizens who are rarely protected or given justice.
Falana also recalled infamous remarks by political leaders that fueled Nigeria’s violent political atmosphere, citing former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s characterization of the 2003 elections as a “do-or-die affair,” and President Bola Tinubu’s 2023 call to supporters to “fight for power, grab it, snatch it, and run with it.” According to him, such rhetoric, coupled with widespread electoral violence, has reinforced the perception that Nigeria’s dominant parties operate through intimidation and force.
He further criticised the Nigerian government for what he described as a selective application of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, noting that unarmed protesters arrested during the #EndHardship demonstrations are still facing terrorism charges, while politicians whose corrupt actions contribute to citizens’ suffering are shielded from accountability.
Falana warned that the international implications of the Canadian judgment could be far-reaching, potentially leading to the denial of asylum requests and even deportations for Nigerians linked to the APC and PDP in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, and France. “If the ruling is not set aside, it may be registered in the United States, UK, France etc. The implication is that members of the APC and PDP may be deported or have their visas revoked,” he cautioned.
The lawyer urged the federal government to act quickly by engaging immigration lawyers to challenge the judgment in order to protect Nigeria’s image and its citizens abroad. “The collateral damage of the judgement will certainly affect other citizens since the Government of their homeland has been sponsored by two terrorist political parties,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has rejected the ruling, calling on Canadian authorities to withdraw what it described as an “erroneous” designation of Nigerian political parties as terrorist organisations.
What you should know
Femi Falana, one of Nigeria’s most prominent human rights lawyers, has consistently challenged both the government and political elites on issues of justice and accountability.
His latest intervention highlights the global consequences of Nigeria’s violent political culture, warning that the Canadian ruling could have significant implications for the reputation of the APC, PDP, and their members worldwide.
