A Canadian Federal Court has labeled Nigeria’s two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as “terrorist organisations” under Canadian immigration law. This ruling came about in an immigration appeal case involving Douglas Egharevba, a Nigerian politician who was a member of both parties.
Egharevba joined the PDP in 1999 and defected to the APC in 2007, staying until 2017. He later sought asylum in Canada but was deemed inadmissible due to his party affiliations. The court’s decision was based on the parties’ alleged involvement in political violence and democratic subversion in Nigeria.
Justice Phuong Ngo of the Federal Court of Canada ruled that membership in organisations linked to terrorism or subversion triggers inadmissibility, even without personal involvement in violent acts. The court cited documented incidents of electoral violence, voter intimidation, and politically motivated killings linked to both parties, particularly highlighting the PDP’s conduct during the 2003 state and 2004 local government elections.
The court’s decision was based on the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), which allows immigration authorities to refuse entry or remove individuals who engage in terrorism or subversion of democracy. The court found that the APC and PDP’s alleged actions met the definition of subversion under IRPA, and Egharevba’s membership in these parties during periods of violent or subversive activity was sufficient grounds for inadmissibility.
This ruling sets a precedent that could affect Nigerian immigrants with affiliations to these parties. It emphasizes the importance of understanding Canada’s immigration laws and the potential consequences of political membership. The court’s decision also underscores the need for thorough disclosure of political history and affiliations when applying for asylum or immigration status in Canada.
