The Federal Government of Nigeria has demanded an immediate retraction of what it termed a false and damaging classification of some Nigerian political parties as “terrorist organisations” by a Canadian court.
In a statement issued on Friday by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian government expressed “deep concerns” over the ruling, warning that it could be misinterpreted as support for politically motivated narratives against the country.
The controversial designation stems from a refugee case involving Douglas Egharevba, a Nigerian national who arrived in Canada in September 2017 and applied for asylum under the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
In its judgment, the Canadian court reportedly linked Egharevba’s affiliation with some political groups in Nigeria to alleged acts of terrorism.
Nigeria described the court’s sweeping characterization as “baseless, reckless, and unacceptable interference” in its internal affairs, stating that such a ruling undermines democratic values and misrepresents the nature of its political institutions.
“The court made a sweeping accusation against the entire membership of a political party that has produced three democratically elected presidents, rather than focusing on any individual acts,” the statement read.
“The implication is that all members of these parties are potential terrorists, this is not only false but dangerous.”
The Nigerian government emphasized that its political parties function within the bounds of its constitutional and legal frameworks, and play a critical role in its vibrant democracy.
“To associate legitimate political organisations with terrorism without credible evidence is a grave misrepresentation that could incite tension and erode international confidence in Nigeria’s democratic system,” the Ministry stated.
Calling for a full retraction of the court’s conclusion, the Federal Government also encouraged Canadian authorities to engage Nigeria diplomatically to resolve the matter.
It reiterated that Nigeria remains committed to global efforts to combat terrorism and has made substantial progress in tackling extremist threats within its borders.
Furthermore, the government advised Nigerian citizens seeking asylum abroad to refrain from making unverified or damaging allegations against their country for personal gain.
“Such claims not only jeopardize diplomatic relations but also risk painting a false narrative about Nigeria’s political landscape,” the statement concluded.
