“Prove You Are Not Terrorist Organisations”-Femi Falana Challenges APC, PDP

The provocative call, made on Monday, August 18, 2025, follows a controversial Canadian Federal Court ruling that branded both parties as entities engaging in terrorism-like conduct, sparking heated debate across Nigeria and beyond. 

The ruling, delivered by Justice Phuong Ngo, stemmed from the dismissal of an asylum appeal by Nigerian citizen Douglas Egharevba. 

The court cited the APC and PDP’s alleged use of violence, intimidation, and subversion of democratic processes as grounds for classifying them as “terrorist organisations” under Canadian law. 

Falana, in a strongly worded statement, urged the parties to take legal action to clear their names rather than dismissing the ruling as “ignorant” (APC) or “mischievous” (PDP). 

“Instead of abusing the Canadian judge, the APC and PDP should urgently adopt legal measures to prove that they are not terrorist organisations,” he said. 

Falana highlighted Nigeria’s own Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, which defines terrorism as including politically motivated violence and coercion—practices he claims are rampant in the country’s elections. 

“It is common knowledge that APC and PDP rig elections and announce fake results with the assistance of armed thugs, police, and military personnel,” Falana asserted, pointing to widespread electoral violence and voter intimidation that often go unpunished. 

The Canadian ruling has far-reaching implications, with Falana warning that it could lead to visa denials and deportations for APC and PDP members abroad if adopted by countries like the United States, United Kingdom, and France. 

He urged the Federal Government to hire immigration lawyers to address the “stigma of infamy” and called for stricter enforcement of Nigeria’s Electoral Act to restore confidence in the democratic process.