In a landmark ruling delivered on June 17, 2025, the Federal Court of Canada has upheld a decision declaring Nigeria’s two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as terrorist organisations under Canadian law. This ruling came during the asylum case of Douglas Egharevba, a former member of both parties, whose application for asylum was denied based on his affiliation with them.
The court found that both APC and PDP have engaged in widespread political violence, including ballot stuffing, voter intimidation, election-related killings, and other acts that meet the Canadian definition of terrorism. Justice Phuong T.V. Ngo cited overwhelming evidence that these parties have systematically used violence and subversion to maintain power, particularly highlighting the PDP’s record during its 16 years in government as responsible for most of such acts.
Egharevba did not contest his membership but argued he was not personally involved in violent acts. However, the court held that mere membership in an organisation associated with terrorism suffices to deny asylum under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), regardless of individual actions.
The legal reasoning rejected Egharevba’s claim that political violence in Nigeria is part of the normal “rules of the game,” affirming that Nigeria’s elections, despite irregularities, qualify as democratic processes in Canadian law and that subverting them constitutes terrorism and democratic subversion. The ruling emphasized that such systematic interference with democracy cannot be dismissed as routine political behaviour.
This decision is among the strongest judicial condemnations by a foreign court, officially linking Nigeria’s dominant political parties to acts of terrorism and electoral subversion. It sets a precedent in international perspectives on Nigerian politics, reinforcing concerns about governance and political violence in the country.
As a result, Douglas Egharevba’s asylum claim was dismissed, and deportation proceedings are expected to follow. The ruling signals a significant diplomatic and reputational challenge for Nigeria’s political establishment and adds to international scrutiny over the conduct of its major political parties.
The development has attracted widespread attention in both Nigerian and international media, spotlighting the serious implications of political violence and the ongoing struggles for democratic integrity in Nigeria.