ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reaffirmed its commitment to peace, unity, and the defence of democracy amid concerns over a recent court ruling that halted its planned national convention.
Chief Olabode George, PDP Leader in Lagos State and a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, restated the commitment at a news conference on Wednesday in Lagos.
He was reacting to the October 31 Federal High Court Abuja judgement, delivered by Justice James Omotosho.
George described the ruling, which stopped the party’s planned national elective convention scheduled for November 15 and Nov. 16 in Ibadan, as a “recipe for anarchy” and a violation of judicial principles.
He said the judgement undermined the Supreme Court’s position that issues relating to the internal administration and election of party officers are not justiciable matters.
“The Supreme Court has ruled clearly that no court has jurisdiction over the internal administration of political parties, including the conduct of congresses and conventions,” he said.
According to him, Justice Omotosho’s decision amounted to “judicial overreach and interference” in the internal affairs of a lawful political organisation.
George alleged that the judge’s ruling could destabilise democracy if not urgently addressed.
“This is judicial rascality and a clear attempt to truncate democracy in the largest Black nation on earth.
“The Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council must call this judge to order,” he said.
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He further alleged that the judgement emboldened some “security operatives” to invade the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja, describing the act as “an unlawful act carried out in concert with a minority faction of the party.”
“The deployment of uniformed personnel into the private chambers of a political party is an affront to democracy and a violation of constitutional rights to freedom of association,” George said.
He called on the Federal Government, the National Security Adviser, and heads of security agencies to investigate the incident and withdraw all personnel involved in the alleged invasion.
George warned that the “acts of judicial and political recklessness reminiscent of the Western Region crisis of 1962 and the 1983 Ondo crisis” should not be allowed to repeat themselves.
“Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads. What is needed now is restraint, dialogue, and renewed commitment to democratic conduct,” he said.
The PDP leader maintained that despite provocations, the party would continue to operate within the bounds of law and constitutionalism.
“PDP is the oldest and most experienced political party in Nigeria.
“Since 1998, we have always followed due process in our congresses and conventions. No judge or political actor should attempt to rewrite that history,” he said.
He alleged that the ruling party was using the judiciary and security apparatus to weaken opposition parties instead of tackling insecurity and economic challenges.
He urged Nigerians and the international community to stand firm in defence of democratic values, noting that the PDP would not be distracted from its mission to preserve national stability.
“As a responsible political party, we remain committed to peace, unity, and the defence of democracy,” he said.
NAN.