The Nigerian government rejected the Canadian court decision that appointed PDP, APC as a terror group

The federal government has rejected a decision by the Canadian Federal Court which appointed certain Nigerian political parties as a terrorist organization, describing the decision as a careless and unacceptable interference in the country’s internal affairs.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the decision emerged from a case involving Nigerian citizens, Douglas Egharevba, who arrived in Canada in September 2017 and submitted an application for the status of inland refugees under the Protection of Immigration and Canadian refugees.

In the verdict submitted on June 17, 2025, Judge Phuong NGO rejected Egharevba’s request for the Judicial Review after the Immigration Appeal Division, IAD, found it unacceptable under the Protection of Immigration and Canadian Refugees, Irpa.

Court records show that Egharevba is a member of PDP from 1999 to 2007 before joining APC, where he remained until 2017. He moved to Canada in September 2017 and revealed his political history.

Canadian immigration authorities marked their affiliates, citing intelligence reports that connect the two parties with violence in election and murder that are politically motivated.

IAD bases its decision largely on PDP behavior during the 2003 state election and the 2004 local government poll, when the party was allegedly involved in filling votes, voter intimidation and opposition supporting murder.

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However, the ministry spokesman, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, who signed the statement, stated “in -depth concerns” Nigeria for the decision, stressed that the classification was baseless and misinformation.

“The Federal Nigerian government expressed deep concern over the new decision by the Canadian Federal Court which mistakenly appointed certain political parties in Nigeria as terrorist organizations. This baseless classification was not only careless but also an unacceptable interference in Nigerian internal affairs and a democratic process,” the statement was read.

The government criticized the court for what he called the great generalization involving all political parties rather than handling people who might have made mistakes.

“The court made a big accusation of all membership of political parties who had produced three presidents who were democratically elected, instead of focusing on individuals who discovered desires. The greater decision taging was that every member of the political party mentioned was a potential terrorist, and it was entirely wrong and unacceptable,” the statement added.

Re -emphasizing Nigerian sovereignty, the ministry emphasized that the country has a strong constitutional framework and law governing political activities, and that all registered political parties operate within legal limits as part of the democratic process.

The government also warned Nigerian citizens not to make unfounded claims of the country in pursuing asylum or other assistance abroad, warning that such actions at risk of damaging Nigeria’s image and democratic institutions.