Reacting, George described the judgment as shocking and dangerous for Nigeria’s democratic stability, warning that it could set a troubling precedent.
A former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has strongly criticised the court ruling halting the party’s forthcoming national convention.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday restrained the PDP from holding its national convention scheduled for Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 in Ibadan.
Reacting, George described the judgment as shocking and dangerous for Nigeria’s democratic stability, warning that it could set a troubling precedent.
He argued that political parties must be allowed to manage their internal affairs without undue judicial interference, except in clear cases of constitutional breach.
“This judgment will consume this country. It is time the judge removed his wig and gown and joined politics,” George said in a statement.
The PDP chieftain called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council to address what he termed an unjustifiable intervention capable of triggering disorder.
“Judges are not politicians. Their duty is to interpret the law, not to meddle in party administration,” he added.
George questioned the basis of the ruling, insisting that INEC monitored all PDP congresses nationwide and did not raise objections or report irregularities.
“INEC is not complaining. The judge did not invite INEC officials. So why is he complaining? Does he have political interest?” he queried.
He noted that the PDP, which has existed since 1998, has a long tradition of following due process in its internal operations, including congresses and conventions.
According to him, the decision undermines party autonomy and risks weaponising the judiciary against political stability in Africa’s largest democracy.
George stressed that resolving internal disputes through established party mechanisms remains fundamental to democratic development.
He urged PDP members to remain calm and committed to lawful processes while pursuing legal remedies to overturn the ruling.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that the PDP said it rejected the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja stopping its planned national convention, describing the ruling as “an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process.”
In a statement titled “PDP Planned National Convention Not Vitiated by Court” and issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party vowed to go ahead with all its planned activities and internal processes ahead of the convention to elect new national officers.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is appalled by the judgment of the Federal High Court Abuja, presided over by Honorable Justice Kolawole Omotosho today, describing it as an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process,” the statement read.
“The PDP states that the judgment of the court does not vitiate its ability to proceed with the processes and activities towards the National Convention to elect new National Officers to pilot the affairs of the Party for the next four years,” he said.
The PDP cited a recent Supreme Court ruling affirming the supremacy of political parties in managing their internal affairs as a basis for its decision to continue preparations.
“Our Party notes the recent judgment of the Supreme Court, which affirms the supremacy of a political party in the management of its internal affairs,” the statement added.
