The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has blasted a Canadian court’s decision to declare Nigeria’s two major political parties, the PDP and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, as terrorist organisations.
Recall that the Federal Court of Canada recently upheld a ruling that classified Nigeria’s APC and PDP as terrorist organisations, while denying asylum to a former member, Douglas Egharevba, over his decade-long affiliation with both parties.
Reacting during an interview, PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, said that Canada shouldn’t forget that Nigeria is also a democratic country.
According to him, while those who are tagging political parties as terrorist organizations have a right to freedom of speech, they should avoid abusing the right by making unguarded comments.
He described the claim as misinformed, biased, and lacking evidence, urging that it be dismissed completely.
“Nigeria and Canada are both democracies. And I’m sure those who make such statements enjoy their right to freedom of speech. But again, when having freedom of speech, one should be circumspect about unguarded and unnecessary statements
There’s nothing to show, there’s nothing on text to show that even the malfunctioning APC is a terrorist organisation or the PDP, which is a credible institution,” he said.
Timothy further accused some APC members of having links with Boko Haram, stressing that one popular Boko Haram leader was recently caught in a staunch APC member’s home.
He concluded by saying that Canadian authorities should concentrate on specific allegations against individuals, instead of generalizing false accusations.
“If they wanted to say that some individuals in the government, particularly the APC government, have traces to terrorism, like we all are aware where the last Boko Haram leader was caught in one of the prominent members of this government’s apartment house, they will have a case. And I would say, yes, those individuals have ties to terrorists and terrorist organisations.
But to say an entire political party is a terrorist organisation is wrong,” he added.
