Bode George: Instead of going after terrorists, bandits, APC is doing everything illegal, shameful to destabilise opposition parties

*STATE OF OUR PARTY, THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP)
The October 31 Federal High Court judgement delivered by Justice James Omotosho, brought before him by some PDP members to halt our party’s planned National elective convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, is clearly a recipe for anarchy.
How Justice James Omotosho could have the boldness to stop the convention of the only truly democratic party in Nigeria after the Supreme Court ruled that such an exercise is an internal affair of any political party, is obviously an aberration which every Nigerian must condemn in its entirety.
What Justice Omotosho did is totally against the principle of Justice which the judiciary stands for.
His judgement that the PDP flouted its own rules and constitution by not holding congresses in some states
shows his ignorance about our procedure. He clearly acted beyond his legal powers or authority.
What Justice Omotosho did was simply interfering in the internal affairs of the main opposition party, by indirectly working for the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Haba, why?
In a case between Mutfwang and Nentawe, the Supreme Court position on the matter which was expected to be interpreted by the learned judge is very clear.
The Apex Court ruling:
1. No Court Has Jurisdiction Over Matters Relating to Administration of Political Party And Election Of Its Officers –

2. Matters about a political party’s congress to elect officers of any level of its executive committees, the constitution of such executive committees, and matters related to the administration of the party, are its internal affairs and not within the jurisdiction of courts.

3. Issues of party leadership and or membership are domestic affairs of political parties and non-justiciable. *The issues, however they arise, cannot be entertained by a court. Only a primary election congress is open to litigation as a pre-election action by virtue of Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2022.
4. A congress to elect officers of any level of the executive committee of a political party has to do with the internal management of the political party.
It is non-justiciable. Therefore, a court or tribunal has no jurisdiction to entertain any dispute arising therefrom. In this case, the preponderance of evidence adduced at the tribunal was that the 4th respondent complied with the order of the High Court of Plateau State by conducting a repeat congress on 25th September 2021.

5. Consequently, the Court of Appeal erred when it went into whether or not the congress was properly organised or conformed to the dictates of the Electoral Act or the 4th respondent’s constitution and guidelines. *Therefore, the judgement of the Court of Appeal was founded on a faulty premise that it had jurisdiction to determine pre-election and non-justiciable matters. *Hence, the judgement is set aside. [Aguma v. A.P.C. (2021) 14 NWLR(Pt.1796) 351; Osagie v. P.D.P. (2023) 5 NWLR (Pt. 1877) 355; Jegede v. I.N.E.C. (2021) 14 NWLR(Pt.1797) 409; APC v. Moses (2021) 14 NWLR (Pt.1796) 278 referred to.] (Pp. 243, paras. E-G; 270, paras. D-E; 272, paras. C-D)”

Therefore, the above by the Supreme Court is clear for all Nigerians to understand.
In his judgement 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.
The Supreme Court said judiciary has no right to dabble into party’s internal affairs. So, on this judgement, Justice Omotosho is clearly wrong. This is judicial rascality. It should be condemned by all Nigerians, the CJN and NJC. Justice Omotosho wants to set Nigeria on fire and destroy this democracy the way First and Second Republics were destroyed by some judges and political class.
His judgement is the joke of the century, open recipe for anarchy and a display of judicial brigandage.
Justice Omotosho ruled that evidence adduced before him established that 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 (PDP) 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 judgement?
This judgement has the dangerous capacity to consume this country.
I call on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council to call this judge to order. Any judgement capable of leading to a breakdown of law and order should be avoided. What power does he have to order 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.
The electoral body witnessed the procedure. They took notes. INEC is not complaining. The judge did not even call INEC officials to crosscheck facts. So, why is the judge complaining? Does he have a political interest? Is he working for APC?
What type of judgement is this? Are we still in a democracy? We have to be careful in this country. The CJN and NJC should monitor some of these judges before they set our democracy on fire.
PDP is the oldest and most experienced party in the country today. Since 1998 when we formed this party, we have always followed the law during our congresses and convention. So, no judge or dubious political class should teach us what we already know and practising.
Obviously, the judiciary is being used to truncate democracy in the largest black-populated country in the world.
It is not the perogative of courts to dabble into affairs of a political party in managing its electoral procedure as entrenched in its internal dynamics and Constitution.
This is how the crisis in the Western Region started in 1962 which consumed the First Republic, leading to the civil war.
To continue along that path in 2025 is absolute lunacy.
Now, Justice Omotosho’s judgement has led to the invasion of our National Secretariat in Abuja by uniformed security personnel, acting in concert with a minority faction of the party.
What a travesty of Justice.
This illegal and unlawful act by these security agents is clearly a dangerous affront to internal democracy and the rule of law.
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.
We call on all stakeholders—particularly the Presidency, the National Security Adviser, and the leadership of Nigeria’s security agencies—to immediately investigate and withdraw all personnel involved in this illegal operation. The sanctity of political institutions must be preserved.
Nigeria stands at critical crossroads. What is needed now is restraint, dialogue, and a recommitment to civilised democratic conduct. The People’s Democratic Party remains committed to peace, unity, and the defence of democracy.
As I said earlier, this was how the Western Region crisis started in 1962, which pitiably led to the collapse of the First Republic.
It was the same scenario that played out in the old Ondo State in 1983 that led to the disintegration of the Second Republic, eventually plunging Nigeria into turmoil. History must not be allowed to repeat itself.
Also, all Nigerians should be alarmed over recent statements from the United States (U.S.) President, Donald Trump, and American security officials to invade Nigeria in search of terrorists.
Instead of going after enemies of State – terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, cattle rustlers and abductors – the APC led federal administration is doing everything illegal, unlawful and shameful to destabilise opposition parties.
The deployment of uniformed personnel into the National Headquarters 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.
PDP, as a responsible political party, remains committed to peace, unity and the defence of democracy.
We will not allow some judicial officials, working in cahoots with the APC, to truncate this democracy.
In conclusion, I want to leave you with this spiritual tonic.
God has enough to supply our needs.
Enough for Salvation, enough for forgiveness, enough to overcome temptations, enough to persevere in adversity, enough to calm our fears and anxieties. Enough grace, enough love, enough power. By His Grace, we have everything we need to live the life he has planned for us. Everything we need to live a life that is pleasing to him. Enough of arrogance. Enough of selfishness. It is a must in our land to love our neighbour as our self.
May God grant that calmness of life for our Country to become a Nation where no one will be oppressed.