The Federal Government has strongly condemned a ruling by a Canadian Federal Court that classified certain Nigerian political parties as “terrorist organisations,” describing the decision as reckless, baseless, and an unacceptable intrusion into the country’s internal affairs.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the government expressed deep concern over the judgment, which arose from an immigration case involving a Nigerian national, Douglas Egharevba. Egharevba, who arrived in Canada in 2017 seeking refugee status, reportedly linked some Nigerian political organisations to terrorism in his claims before the court.
According to the Ministry, the Canadian court’s conclusion amounted to “a sweeping and unfounded generalisation” that unfairly tarnished the image of legitimate political entities operating within Nigeria’s democratic framework.
“The Court made a sweeping accusation against the entire membership of a political party that has produced three democratically elected presidents, instead of focusing on individuals found wanting,” the statement read. “The larger ramification of the decision is that every member of the mentioned political parties is a potential terrorist — a claim that is completely false and unacceptable.”
The government stressed that Nigeria’s political system is regulated by a robust constitutional and legal framework, under which all registered political parties operate. It warned that the ruling could promote misinformation, incite tensions, and distort the country’s political reality on the global stage.
The Ministry urged Canadian authorities to immediately reverse the designation and avoid actions that could be interpreted as endorsing politically motivated narratives. “Nigeria is a sovereign nation with a vibrant democratic process. To associate legitimate political entities with terrorism without credible evidence is a grave misrepresentation that undermines democratic institutions,” Ebienfa said.
Reaffirming its commitment to fighting terrorism, the Federal Government highlighted its ongoing efforts to counter extremist groups and strengthen global security cooperation. It called on the international community to disregard the Canadian court’s decision and support Nigeria’s democratic values.
Additionally, the statement cautioned Nigerian citizens against making false claims to foreign governments in pursuit of asylum or immigration benefits, warning that such actions could damage the nation’s reputation.
Diplomatic channels, the Ministry noted, remain open for constructive engagement with Canada to resolve the matter.
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