Former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has condemned the recent court ruling that stopped the party’s national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan. The decision, issued by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, restrains the PDP from going ahead with its planned event.
Reacting in a statement on Friday, George described the ruling as “shocking and dangerous,” warning that it could harm Nigeria’s democratic system. He argued that political parties should be allowed to handle their internal affairs without interference from the judiciary, except when there is a clear constitutional violation.
“This judgment will consume this country. It is time the judge removed his wig and gown and joined politics,” George said, urging the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council to address what he called an unjustifiable interference that could destabilize the system.
He questioned the basis of the judgment, noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had monitored all PDP congresses without reporting any irregularities. “INEC is not complaining, so why is the judge complaining? Does he have political interest?” George asked.
The PDP also rejected the court ruling, describing it as an “assault on Nigeria’s democratic process.” In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party said it would continue with its internal activities ahead of the convention, citing a Supreme Court judgment that upholds the right of political parties to manage their own affairs.