By Ihechi Enyinnaya
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has accused Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja Federal High Court of indirectly working for the All Progressive Alliance(APC) with his ruling stopping the party’s planned national convention.
He called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to urgently call Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court to order saying his actions was a threat to democracy.
George, who addressed journalists on the state of the party in Lagos, said the October 31 judgment halting the PDP’s November 15–16 national elective convention in Ibadan was “a clear violation” of Supreme Court pronouncements which affirmed that party congresses and conventions are internal affairs and not subject to judicial interference.
He said the judgment, if allowed to stand, could provoke political unrest.
“This judgement has the dangerous capacity to consume this country,” George warned. “The CJN and the NJC must call this judge to order. No ruling capable of triggering a breakdown of law and order should be allowed to stand.”
He questioned Justice Omotosho’s legal authority to stop a political party from managing its internal affairs.
“What power does he have to order PDP not to hold its National Convention? Has the judiciary gone to the dogs?” he asked.
George maintained that the PDP followed all laid-down procedures in conducting its congresses.
“INEC officials were present at every congress. They monitored the process and documented the proceedings. INEC has not raised any objections. So, on what basis did the judge arrive at his conclusion? Who is advising him?” he said.
The PDP leader accused Justice Omotosho of acting beyond his jurisdiction and indirectly working to serve the interest of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He said the ruling contradicts multiple Supreme Court judgments which state that:
*Courts have no jurisdiction over the administration or internal structure of political parties.
*Matters relating to election of party officers are non-justiciable.
*Only primary elections may be litigated under Section 84 of the Electoral Act.
George alleged that the judgment has already emboldened a minority faction within the PDP, leading to the deployment of security operatives to the party’s national secretariat in Abuja — an action he described as illegal.
He however expressed happiness that the convention will go on, maintaining that the invasion of the PDP headquarters by uniformed personnel was a direct assault on democracy, political freedom and constitutional rights.
“This is how the Western Region crisis began in 1962 and how the Second Republic collapsed in 1983. We must not repeat the mistakes of history,” he cautioned.
George urged the Presidency, the National Security Adviser and the heads of security agencies to immediately withdraw the personnel and halt what he described as an attempt to destabilise the opposition.
Despite the tension, he said the PDP remains committed to peace, unity and the defence of democracy.
He ended with a spiritual reflection, urging Nigerians to reject arrogance and division.
“May God grant our country calmness, and may Nigeria become a land where no one is oppressed,” he said.