Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has challenged Nigeria’s major political parties to prove they are not terrorist organizations.
Falana’s call comes after Canadian Federal Court Judge Phuong Ngo described both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as entities engaged in conduct amounting to terrorism.
The ruling was made while dismissing the asylum appeal of a Nigerian, Douglas Egharevba.
In a statement issued on Monday, Falana emphasised that the ruling must be addressed seriously by Nigeria’s political actors rather than being dismissed as mischievous or ignorant.
In his statement, Falana said: “It is common knowledge that APC and PDP rig elections and announce fake results with the assistance of armed thugs, police and military personnel.”
He added, “Violence, killings, and attacks on voters have repeatedly marred electoral processes without perpetrators being brought to justice.”
He criticized the parties’ reactions, with APC labeling the judge “ignorant” and PDP calling the decision “mischievous,” arguing these responses failed to address the core issues raised.
Instead of abusing the Canadian judge, the APC and PDP should urgently adopt legal measures to prove that they are not terrorist organisations,” he added.
Falana also urged the Federal Government to engage immigration lawyers to mitigate the ruling’s implications, warning that it could result in visa denials or deportations for Nigerian party members abroad.
If the ruling is registered in the United States, United Kingdom, France, and elsewhere, members of the APC and PDP may have their visas revoked and may be deported,” he warned.
He further called for stronger enforcement of the Electoral Act and prosecution of election violators to restore confidence in Nigeria’s democratic processes both at home and abroad.
