Falana said both parties ought to address the concerns raised by the Canadian court instead of dismissing its ruling.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Activist and human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) has called on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and major opposition, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to show that they are not “terrorist organisations”.
He gave the advice on Monday in a statement he issued while wadding into a controversial ruling by a canadian judge.
A Canadian Federal Court while giving its verdict in a case brought before it, described APC and PDP as entities that have engaged in conduct amounting to terrorism under Canadian law.
Justice Phuong Ngo, while dismissing an asylum appeal by a Nigerian, Douglas Egharevba, ruled that Nigeria’s two main political parties — were “terrorist organisations” because they allegedly use violence, coercion and subversion of democratic institutions in their bid to acquire political power.
While reacting to the responses of the two parties to the judgement, Falana urged them to address the serious concerns raised, instead of dismissing the judge’s pronouncements as ignorant or mischievous.
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He further explained that the ruling carries far-reaching consequences beyond judicial recognition, stressing that under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 of Nigeria, terrorism includes the use of violence, intimidation, or coercive tactics with political or ideological motives — actions which he argued have become common features of elections in the country.
“It is common knowledge that APC and PDP rig elections and announce fake results with the assistance of armed thugs, police and military personnel,” Falana said.
He added that violence, killings and attacks on voters have repeatedly marred electoral processes without perpetrators being brought to justice.
The activist further criticised both parties for their immediate reactions to the ruling — with the APC calling the judge “ignorant” and the PDP describing the decision as “mischievous” — saying these responses failed to address the substantive issues raised.
He added, “Instead of abusing the Canadian judge, the APC and PDP should urgently adopt legal measures to prove that they are not terrorist organisations.”
