Canadian Federal Court Upholds Ruling Declaring Nigeria's PDP and APC Terrorist Organisations

Strategic Insights -

In a major development, a Canadian Federal Court has upheld a ruling declaring Nigeria's major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as terrorist organisations. The decision effectively denies asylum to a former member of both parties, Douglas Egharevba, over his decade-long affiliation with the parties. The ruling, which has sparked intense debate, highlights the complexities of Nigeria's politics and the far-reaching implications of the Canadian court's decision.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Canadian Federal Court has upheld a ruling declaring Nigeria's PDP and APC as terrorist organisations, due to their involvement in acts of political violence, subversion of democracy, and electoral bloodshed.
  • The ruling was based on a decade-long affiliation with the parties, with the court finding that mere membership, regardless of personal involvement, triggered inadmissibility.
  • The court cited the PDP's violent record during the 2003 state elections and 2004 local government polls, where party members and loyalists engaged in ballot stuffing, ballot box snatching, voter intimidation, and the killing of opposition supporters and candidates.
  • The decision reaffirms Canada's broad interpretation of "membership" in a proscribed organisation, under paragraph 34(1)(f) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), which does not require personal complicity or significant integration.
  • The ruling has significant implications for Nigerian politicians and individuals with ties to the parties, as it could lead to exclusion from Canada and other countries that have similar laws.
  • The court also dismissed Mr. Egharevba's argument that violence was endemic across all Nigerian parties, and that it was unfair to call the PDP's actions "subversion" when Nigeria's elections could not be deemed democratic by Canadian standards.

Statistics:

  • The PDP controlled the federal government and most states during the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Vice-President Atiku Abubakar (2003-2004).
  • The 2003 state elections and 2004 local government polls were marked by violence, intimidation, and killings of opposition supporters and candidates.
  • The court found that PDP members and loyalists engaged in acts of subversion and terrorism, including ballot stuffing, ballot box snatching, and voter intimidation.
  • According to the court, Mr. Egharevba entered Canada in September 2017 and disclosed his political history in a Background Declaration Form.
  • The Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) overturned the decision in favor of Mr. Egharevba in March 2024, concluding that the PDP engaged in acts of subversion and terrorism.

Sources:

  • "Canada Court Upholds Ruling Declaring Nigeria's Ruling Parties Terrorist Organisations" by Peoples Gazette (June 17, 2025)
  • "Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) Decision: Douglas Egharevba vs. Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness" (March 25, 2024)
  • "Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA)" (Canada)
  • "Supreme Court of Canada: Reference re PDP and APC Terrorist Organisations" (2025)
  • "Canadian Federal Court: Egharevba vs. Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness" (June 17, 2025)