The Federal Government has demanded that Canadian authorities immediately retract what it described as an “erroneous” and “reckless” designation of some Nigerian political parties as terrorist organisations.
A statement issued in Abuja on Friday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, expressed deep concern over a ruling by a Canadian Federal Court in connection with a case involving a Nigerian, Douglas Egharevba, who arrived in Canada in September 2017 and applied for inland refugee status under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
The government said the court’s decision amounted to an unacceptable interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs, warning that the sweeping classification unfairly branded entire political parties one of which has produced three democratically elected presidents as terrorist groups.
“This baseless classification is not only reckless but constitutes a grave misrepresentation that undermines Nigeria’s democratic institutions,” the statement read, stressing that political parties in Nigeria operate strictly within the country’s legal and constitutional framework.
The Federal Government cautioned that such actions could be misconstrued as endorsing politically motivated narratives against Nigeria, while also inciting unnecessary tension.
Calling for the ruling to be reversed, the government urged Canada to engage relevant Nigerian institutions through diplomatic channels to rectify the error. It further advised Nigerians not to make unfounded allegations against the country as a means of seeking asylum abroad.
Reaffirming its commitment to the global fight against terrorism, Nigeria urged the international community to disregard the court ruling, insisting that the country has made significant strides in countering extremist groups within its borders.
