PDP Rejects Report of Canadian Court Labeling Party, APC as Terrorist Organisations

• PDP dismisses Canadian court ruling as opinion without factual basis, criticizing lumping entire parties as terrorist organizations

• The party calls the decision embarrassing, urging focus on individuals linked to terrorism and demanding government response on ruling

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly rejected reports that a Canadian court has classified Nigeria’s two main political parties, the PDP and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as terrorist organisations.

Senior government officials said that the federal government is expected to issue a formal response today, describing the development as “embarrassing.”

PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) member, Timothy Osadolor, said the Canadian court had the right to express an opinion but stressed that such an opinion does not make its claims factual.

“There is nothing in their opinion that makes it true,” Osadolor stated. He argued that instead of targeting entire political parties, the court should have focused on individuals linked to terrorism, particularly within the APC.

He maintained that the PDP, as a credible political platform, should not be lumped together with the APC, which he accused of bringing disrepute to Nigeria. He also said the ruling reflects a lack of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government.

“President Tinubu may not be directly linked to terrorism, but his inability to confront it effectively has made him a victim of the terror networks ravaging several states,” Osadolor said. He claimed the president prioritises regime security over national security.

According to him, the ruling should serve as “a wake-up call” for the administration.

Efforts to get reactions from the APC and the federal government were unsuccessful as of press time. APC spokespersons, Felix Morka and Bala Ibrahim, did not respond to calls and messages, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, also did not reply.

However, a senior government official said the ministry would respond once the authenticity of the ruling is confirmed. “As soon as it is authenticated, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will issue the government’s formal reaction, and we expect the parties to defend themselves,” the official stated.