Olabode George, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has condemned the invasion of the party’s national secretariat by uniformed security personnel, describing the action as a dangerous affront to democracy and the rule of law.
George stated this on Wednesday during a press conference at his office in Ikoyi, Lagos, noting that the “brigandage” was carried out in concert with a minority faction of the party.
The Atona Oodua maintained that the invasion, which occurred after the judgment stopping the PDP convention, was an illegal and unlawful act by security agents, adding that it was a clear recipe for anarchy.
In a 31 October judgment, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court ordered the stoppage of the PDP’s convention scheduled for 15 and 16 November in Ibadan, Oyo State.
George pointed out that the judgment triggered the invasion of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja by uniformed security personnel acting alongside a minority faction.
“What a travesty of justice. The deployment of uniformed personnel into the private chambers of a major political party is a direct assault on democratic values and the freedom of political association guaranteed by our Constitution.
“This action undermines public confidence, threatens national stability, and sends a dangerous signal to the international community about the state of democracy in Nigeria.
“In his judgment stopping the PDP convention, Justice Omotosho is trying to force his personal judicial opinion into the sacred judicial interpretation of the apex court of the land.”
Continuing, the elder statesman added: “The Supreme Court said the judiciary has no right to dabble into a party’s internal affairs. So, on this judgment, Justice Omotosho is clearly wrong.
“This is judicial rascality. It should be condemned by all Nigerians, the CJN and the NJC. Justice Omotosho wants to set Nigeria on fire and destroy this democracy the way the First and Second Republics were destroyed by some judges and the political class.
“His judgment is the joke of the century — an open recipe for anarchy and a display of judicial brigandage.
“Justice Omotosho ruled that evidence adduced before him established that the PDP failed to comply with provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as well as its own Constitution. Who told him this?
“INEC officials monitored our congresses. He did not invite INEC officials to ask them what happened during our congresses. So, on what evidence did he base his judgment?”
George called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council to call the judge to order.
“Any judgment capable of leading to a breakdown of law and order should be avoided. What power does he have to order the PDP not to have its national convention? Has the judiciary gone to the dogs? As I said earlier, during all our congresses leading to this convention, INEC officials were present,” George said.
