LunagisthubAPC and PDP Must Prove They’re Not Terrorist Organisations — Falana
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to take urgent legal steps to prove they are not terrorist organizations. This comes after a Canadian court ruling described both parties as entities engaging in conduct amounting to terrorism under Canadian law .
The Canadian court ruling was made in response to an asylum appeal by a Nigerian citizen, Douglas Egharevba, who was deemed inadmissible to Canada due to his membership in the PDP, one of Nigeria’s two major political parties. The court’s decision was based on findings that both the APC and PDP have engaged in political violence, voter intimidation, ballot stuffing, and murder to gain and maintain power .
Falana warned that if the ruling is not set aside, it may have far-reaching consequences for Nigerians affiliated with the APC or PDP. Members of these parties may face visa denials or deportation from countries like Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. He emphasized that the Nigerian government should hire immigration lawyers to take urgent action to remove the stigma of infamy contained in the judgment .
Falana linked the Canadian court’s ruling to Nigeria’s history of violent elections, rigging, and political impunity. He noted that both APC and PDP have a track record of rigging elections, announcing fake results, and using armed police personnel and soldiers to suppress opposition. Concerned citizens who resist rigging are often violently attacked and killed, with perpetrators rarely brought to justice .
Falana also criticized the Nigerian government for selectively applying the Terrorism (Prevention) Act. He pointed out that while unarmed citizens arrested during protests face terrorism charges, politicians who embezzle public funds, leading to the deaths of poor citizens, are rarely tried for terrorism .
Falana urged the APC and PDP to adopt legal measures to prove they are not terrorist organizations, rather than resorting to insults and criticisms of the Canadian court’s decision. He emphasized the need for the Nigerian government to take immediate action to mitigate the potential consequences of the ruling and protect the rights of its citizens abroad .
Lunagisthub
