By Muhammad Mamman
Renowned human rights advocate and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana has issued a stern challenge to the nation’s dominant political forces, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP): demonstrate unequivocally that they do not qualify as terrorist entities. This demand stems from a landmark Canadian Federal Court decision that has ignited global concerns over Nigeria’s electoral practices.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Phuong Ngo, rejected the asylum claim of Nigerian national Douglas Egharevba, categorizing both the APC and PDP as organizations engaging in terrorism under Canadian legal standards. The judge cited allegations of violence, coercion, and the undermining of democratic institutions in their pursuit of power—practices Falana argues mirror Nigeria’s own Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, which defines terrorism to include politically motivated violence and intimidation.
Falana, in a statement released Monday, highlighted the pervasive issues plaguing Nigerian elections, including rigging, fabricated results, and the deployment of armed thugs alongside security forces. “Violence, killings, and assaults on voters have become hallmarks of our electoral cycles, with impunity shielding the culprits,” he asserted, underscoring the need for systemic reform.
Dismissing the parties’ knee-jerk rebuttals—the APC labeling the judge “ignorant” and the PDP deeming the verdict “mischievous”—Falana urged a proactive legal response. “Rather than resorting to insults, the APC and PDP must swiftly pursue judicial avenues to refute these grave accusations,” he emphasized.
Beyond party-level action, Falana pressed the Federal Government to enlist specialized immigration lawyers to challenge the ruling’s implications. He warned of ripple effects: potential visa denials, revocations, and deportations for APC and PDP members abroad, with possible spillover to other Nigerians if the judgment gains traction in key nations like the United States, United Kingdom, and France.
“The government’s mere diplomatic protests won’t suffice,” Falana cautioned. “This stigma of infamy risks tarnishing all citizens, as it portrays our homeland’s leadership as backed by terrorist-affiliated parties. Urgent intervention is essential to enforce constitutional adherence in politics and safeguard Nigeria’s international standing.”
