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Falana: APC and PDP Must Demonstrate They Are Not Terrorist Organizations
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to urgently pursue legal action to refute a recent Canadian court ruling that labelled them as terrorist organisations.
In a statement on Monday, Falana argued that instead of hurling insults at the Canadian court, the Nigerian political parties should clear their names.
“Instead of abusing the Canadian judge, the APC and PDP should, as a matter of urgency, adopt legal measures to prove that they are not terrorist organisations,” he said.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) linked the Canadian court’s ruling to Nigeria’s history of violent elections, rigging and political impunity, which he said validates the Canadian court’s decision.
“It is common knowledge that both APC and PDP rig elections and announce fake results with the assistance of armed police personnel and soldiers. Concerned citizens who kick against rigging are violently attacked and killed, while the perpetrators are never prosecuted,” he noted.
Falana recalled past remarks by political leaders, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s declaration that the 2003 election was a “do-or-die affair,” and President Bola Tinubu’s 2023 statement urging his supporters to “fight for power, grab it, snatch it, and run with it”.
The human rights lawyer said such rhetoric, coupled with widespread electoral violence, reinforced the Canadian court’s finding that Nigeria’s ruling parties operate through brute force.
He further criticised the Nigerian government for what he described as a class-biased application of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act.
According to him, while unarmed citizens arrested during the #EndHardship protests (#EndBadGovernance) still face terrorism charges, politicians who embezzle public funds, “leading to the deaths of poor citizens, are never tried for terrorism.”
Warning of the international implications of the Canadian judgment, Falana said asylum applications by Nigerians linked to APC or PDP may now be denied, with the risk of deportation from countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, and France.
“If the ruling is not set aside, it may be registered in the United States, UK, France etc. The implication is that members of the APC and PDP may be deported or have their visas revoked,” he cautioned.
The lawyer urged the federal government to act swiftly, stressing, “The government should hire immigration lawyers to take urgent action to remove the stigma of infamy contained in the judgement of the Canadian court.
The collateral damage of the judgement will certainly affect other citizens since the Government of their homeland has been sponsored by two terrorist political parties.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has called on the Canadian authorities to immediately retract what it described as the “erroneous” designation of some political parties in Nigeria as terrorist organisations.
Some aspirants loyal to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who failed to secure the All Progressives Congress (APC) tickets in the recently concluded National Assembly primaries, have approached the court to challenge the outcome of the exercise.
The aggrieved aspirants are challenging the APC National Working Committee (NWC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the results of the primaries and the list of candidates submitted by the party to the electoral body.
Report quoted sources within the party as saying the aspirants decided to seek judicial redress after expressing dissatisfaction with the outcome of the primaries.
The aspirants have reportedly engaged the services of the law firm of Remi Olatubora, SAN, to challenge the outcome of the exercise, the report also mentioned.
Those involved include Gbenga Elegbeleye (Ondo North Senatorial District), Dr Taiwo Fasoranti (Ondo Central Senatorial District), Leke Akingboye (Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency), Rasaq Obe (Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency), Kayode Ijalana (Owo/Ose Federal Constituency), Oyerinmade Matthew (Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency), and Olumuyiwa Daramola (Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency).
The legal action has reportedly generated concerns among some party stakeholders, who fear it could affect the APC’s preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has slammed the Federal Government over its gifts of houses to judges.
Speaking at the Housing TV Africa on Thursday, Falana demanded the provision of the law that stipulated such a gesture.
He charged the Federal Government to also build houses for university professors and other civil and public servants, noting that what is good for the goose is equally good for the gander.
“”We have got to a stage in the country where we have to challenge the special privileges given to the rich and top public officers in the country.
“I was very sad when I saw that the Federal Government was handing over the keys of houses to judges, and I asked myself, ‘Under what law are we operating?’ Because it’s discriminatory and illegal.
“You treat everyone equally in our country. So you can’t take out judges. Judges are entitled to accommodation by the way. They must live comfortably and we’ll secured.
“But, other citizens must be equally provided for. If you don’t do it, you can be challenged, and that is going to happen very soon because what is good for the goose is good for the gander,” he said.
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a man, Amos Paul, for allegedly burning the private part of his 10-year-old daughter with a hot pressing iron as punishment for bedwetting.
The suspect, a resident of Unaun, Upenme in Owo Local Government Area of the state, was arrested after the incident was reported to the police on Thursday.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the child sustained severe burn injuries and was immediately taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, where she is currently receiving treatment.
Jimoh said detectives from the ‘A’ Division in Owo responded swiftly to the report, mobilised to the scene and arrested the suspect without delay.
He disclosed that the case has been transferred to the Command’s Gender Unit for a discreet investigation and further action in line with established procedures.
Condemning the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, CP Felix Ohagwu, described the alleged act as “cruel, inhumane and completely unacceptable.”
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable members of society from abuse, violence and exploitation, assuring that anyone found culpable would be brought to justice.
The police commissioner also urged residents to promptly report cases of child abuse, domestic violence and other related offences to the nearest police station, stressing that public cooperation remains vital in protecting vulnerable persons.
The Command said investigations are ongoing, while the suspect remains in custody pending the outcome of the probe.
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