APC Rejects Canadian Court's Ruling Labeling Party and PDP as Terrorist Organizations

Strategic Insights -

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly rejected a Canadian court's ruling that labeled both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as terrorist organizations. The ruling, handed down by Justice Phuong Ngo on June 17, 2024, was made in connection with an asylum application by Douglas Egharevba, who was deemed inadmissible to Canada due to his affiliation with the parties. The ruling has been met with a scathing response from the APC, with the party's National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, calling the decision "biased" and "limited in scope." The APC has maintained that it is a reputable democratic organization that doesn't require legitimacy from foreign courts, and has expressed disappointment that some Nigerians would allow the country's name to be dragged into unfavorable commentary by foreign judges.

Key Takeaways:

  • The APC has rejected a Canadian court's ruling that labeled the party and the PDP as terrorist organizations.
  • The ruling was made in connection with an asylum application by Douglas Egharevba, who was deemed inadmissible to Canada due to his affiliation with the parties.
  • The APC and PDP have been implicated in political violence, subversion of democracy, and electoral bloodshed in Nigeria, according to the Canadian Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.
  • Egharevba was a PDP member from 1999 to 2007 before joining the APC, where he remained until 2017.
  • The APC's National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, has dismissed the ruling as "biased" and "limited in scope," stating that the party is not party to the suit and that the court has no jurisdiction to determine the status of a Nigerian recognized political party.
  • The ruling has been met with a constitutional challenge from the APC, which argues that the judgment is extraterritorial and has no application in Nigeria.
  • The APC has expressed disappointment that some Nigerians would allow the country's name to be dragged into unfavorable commentary by foreign judges due to self-serving asylum applications.
  • Canadian immigration authorities flagged Egharevba's affiliations with the APC and PDP, citing intelligence reports linking the parties to electoral violence and politically motivated killings.

Statistics:

  • 1999-2007: Egharevba was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
  • 2003: PDP's state elections were marred by ballot stuffing, voter intimidation, and violence.
  • 2004: Local government polls in Nigeria were marked by violence and intimidation, according to reports cited by the Canadian Immigration Appeal Division.
  • 2017: Egharevba moved to Canada and disclosed his political history.
  • June 17, 2024: Canadian Federal Court ruled that the APC and PDP are terrorist organizations.

Sources:

  • "Canadian court rules APC, PDP are terrorist organizations", [Nigerian News Source]
  • "APC rejects Canadian court's ruling labeling party as terrorist organization", [APC Official Statement]
  • "Immigration Appeal Division's decision", [Canadian Government Website]