By John Umeh
Nigeria’s political landscape was thrown into turmoil yesterday after reports emerged that a Canadian court has designated the country’s two dominant political parties — the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) — as terrorist organizations. The ruling, which has sparked outrage and disbelief among party members and supporters, is based on allegations linking the parties to activities that allegedly meet Canada’s legal definition of terrorism.
According to court filings in Canada, the designation stems from a petition citing incidents of politically motivated violence, corruption, and alleged links to extremist activities within Nigeria’s borders. While the details remain sparse, the classification means members of the PDP and APC could face heightened scrutiny, visa restrictions, and potential legal consequences when traveling to or conducting business in Canada.
The PDP, in a strongly worded statement, condemned the ruling as “baseless, malicious, and politically motivated,” stressing that it has never been involved in terrorism and operates strictly within the framework of democratic governance. The APC also dismissed the court’s decision, describing it as “misinformed and damaging,” and vowed to explore diplomatic and legal options to overturn the designation.
The news has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political and diplomatic circles, with analysts warning that the ruling could harm the country’s international reputation and affect bilateral relations with Canada. Civil society groups have called for transparency in addressing the allegations, urging the federal government to engage Canadian authorities to clarify the basis of the decision.
As the controversy deepens, both parties insist they are victims of a smear campaign, while legal experts note that Canada’s terrorism laws have far-reaching implications beyond its borders. The coming weeks may see intense diplomatic engagement to either reverse or soften the impact of the ruling — but for now, Nigeria’s two major parties face an unprecedented challenge to their global image.
