Are APC and PDP Terrorist Organizations? The Case For a New Nigeria -By Jeff Okoroafor

The recent, stunning declaration by the Canadian government designating Nigeria’s two dominant political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as terrorist organizations has sent seismic shockwaves through the international community and plunged Nigeria into a moment of profound existential crisis. While the official channels clarify and legal challenges are mounted, the symbolic weight of this accusation cannot be ignored. It is a damning indictment of a political system that has, for decades, held the nation captive. This is not merely a diplomatic incident; it is a mirror held up to the rotting core of Nigeria’s governance structure, and it demands a radical re-evaluation of the nation’s future.

Deconstructing the Weight of the Declaration

To label an entity a “terrorist organization” is to assert that its activities are not merely corrupt or inefficient, but actively predicated on violence, intimidation, and the systematic undermining of societal peace to achieve political ends. Applying this to the APC and PDP is a conclusion drawn from observable reality, however blunt the instrument may be.

The impact is multifold and catastrophic. First, it creates an international pariah status. This move, likely followed by other Western nations, effectively criminalizes dealings with these parties. It jeopardizes foreign direct investment, as international businesses would be wary of engaging with entities linked to terrorism. It complicates visas, foreign aid, and diplomatic ties, isolating the nation on the global stage. Second, it triggers a profound legitimacy crisis. The very foundation of Nigeria’s democracy since 1999 has been the alternation of power between these two parties. To have them both declared terrorist groups eviscerates their legitimacy and nullifies the political contracts they have held with the Nigerian people. It reveals the so-called “choice” between them as a false dichotomy between two sides of the same debased coin. Finally, it provides a moral and legal mandate for change. This declaration provides a stark, external validation of what millions of Nigerians have felt for years: that the political class has waged a silent war against its own citizens. The economic violence of impoverishing the people, the physical violence of electoral thuggery and kidnappings-for-ransom enabled by political patronage, and the psychological violence of destroyed hopes constitute a form of terrorism against the state and its people.

What Nigeria Must Do: A Path Out of the Abyss

This moment, while dire, is also a unique opportunity to break a 25-year cycle of failure. Nigeria must first convene a Sovereign National Dialogue. The current constitution, a relic of military rule, is unfit for purpose. We must urgently convene a truly representative dialogue to negotiate the terms of our coexistence—restructuring, fiscal federalism, state police, and resource control. The era of feeding from the central trough in Abuja must end. Second, the nation must empower institutions, not personalities. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the judiciary must be radically overhauled with genuine independence and funding. Their capture by the ruling parties is what enabled this descent. Finally, Nigeria must embrace a new political ethos. We must consciously dismantle the godfatherism, monetization of politics, and winner-takes-all mentality that define the APC and PDP. This requires supporting new, ideology-driven movements with transparent funding and inclusive practices.

The Obi Imperative: Why Leadership Matters Now More Than Ever

In this landscape of scorched earth politics, the call for Mr. Peter Obi to lead the nation is no longer just a political preference; it is a strategic national imperative. The reasons are clear and compelling. Obi offers a clean slate, untainted by the terrorist designation. He represents a complete break from the compromised APC-PDP duopoly. His political vehicle, though nascent, is not burdened by the baggage of this label. In a moment where international credibility is zero, Obi offers a chance to reset Nigeria’s global image as a nation ready for serious, responsible governance. Furthermore, he offers competence over cronyism. The crisis we face is fundamentally economic. Obi’s record as a prudent manager of resources in Anambra State, his articulate understanding of production-centered economics versus the current consumption model, and his frugal personal disposition are the exact antithesis of the profligacy that has brought us to the brink. He also serves as a unifying symbol. Nigeria is more fractured than ever along ethnic and religious lines—fault lines expertly exploited by the old parties for electoral gain. Obi’s campaign, based on character, competence, and policy, has demonstrated a unique ability to build a pan-Nigerian, youth-driven coalition that transcends these ancient divisions. He is perhaps the only figure who can begin to rebuild a shared sense of national purpose. Ultimately, electing Peter Obi would be the most powerful statement Nigerians could make. It would be a declaration that we have not only rejected the old order but are actively choosing a future defined by integrity, intelligence, and inclusive prosperity. It would signal to the world that the Nigerian people are ready to reclaim their country from the clutches of a predatory political class.

The Canadian declaration, however shocking, is a symptom, not the disease. The disease is the systemic failure and moral bankruptcy of the political entities that have governed us. To continue on the path they have set is national suicide. The moment for tinkering at the edges is over. Nigeria stands at the most critical juncture in its recent history. The choice is no longer between APC and PDP; it is between a failed state and a renewed republic. For the sake of our survival and the future of generations unborn, we must have the courage to choose the latter, and that choice finds its clearest expression in the candidacy of Peter Obi.

Jeff Okoroafor is a social accountability advocate and a political commentator focused on governance, accountability, and social justice in West Africa.