The Canadian court cited allegations of political violence, democratic subversion, and electoral bloodshed, specifically mentioning the PDP’s conduct during the 2003 state elections and 2004 local government polls. The court found that party leadership benefited from violence and failed to prevent it, meeting Canada’s legal threshold for democratic subversion.
Both parties strongly condemned the ruling, with the PDP describing it as “misinformed, biased, and lacking evidence”. The APC also dismissed the judgment, with its National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, calling the presiding judge “an ignoramus” and insisting that the party is “a credible democratic political organization” that doesn’t seek legitimacy from a foreign bench.
Former NNPC spokesperson Olufemi Soneye warned that the ruling sets a dangerous precedent, potentially straining diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Canada, and impacting Nigerians abroad who may face heightened scrutiny and denied visas.
