The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed reports that a Canadian court has designated Nigeria’s two main political parties, the PDP and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as terrorist organisations.
The Federal Government is, however, expected to issue a formal response today, senior government officials told Daily Trust yesterday, describing the matter as “an embarrassing development”.
Speaking to Daily Trust, PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) member, Timothy Osadolor, said while the Canadian court had a right to express its opinion, it did not make such claims factual.
“But there is nothing in their opinion and their right to express it that makes whatever they have said true,” Osadolor said.
He argued that instead of labelling the entire political structures in Nigeria, the Canadian court should have targeted individuals linked to terrorism, particularly within the APC.
“There are credible Nigerians in the APC, not to mention a credible platform like the PDP, which was unfairly lumped together with a party that has brought ignominy to Nigeria and Nigerians. The Canadian Government overreached by joining the PDP alongside the APC as a party linked to terrorism,” he said.
Osadolor described the ruling as a vote of no confidence in the Nigerian government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging the administration to take the matter seriously.
“President Tinubu may not be linked to terrorism, but his ineptitude and inability to fight it head-on have made him a victim of terror networks currently ravaging Nigerian states. Instead of focusing on state security for all Nigerians, over 90 per cent of his efforts have gone into regime security,” he said.
He added that the court’s ruling should serve as “a wake-up call” for the president.
Efforts to get the APC’s reaction and that of the Federal Government were unsuccessful as of press time. APC spokespersons, Felix Morka and Bala Ibrahim, did not respond to calls and messages, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, has not replied to the message sent to him.
However, a senior government official said the ministry would issue a formal response once the ruling’s authenticity is confirmed.
“Immediately we authenticate it, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will issue the government’s formal reaction, and we expect the parties to defend themselves,” the official, who asked not to be named, said.
