Invasion of PDP secretariat direct assault on democratic values — Olabode George

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has strongly condemned the invasion and deployment of uniformed personnel into the party’s National Headquarters in Abuja, describing the move as a direct assault on democratic values and the freedom of political association guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.

Chief George expressed this concern on Wednesday at a press conference, which took place at his Ikoyi, Lagos office, just as he equally condemned the court order aimed at stopping the PDP National Convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital, between November 15 and 16, 2025 as an attempt to silence the major opposition party.

Besides, the PDP chieftain said the action not only undermined public confidence and threatened national stability, but also “sends a dangerous signal to the international community about the state of democracy in Nigeria.”

This was just as he quickly warned that this was how the Western Region crisis started in 1962, which, he said pitiably led to the collapse of the First Republic, adding: “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.”

“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,” George said.

George, while describing the PDP as a responsible political party that remains committed to peace, unity, and the defense of democracy, called on the Presidency and the leadership of the nation’s security agencies to immediately investigate and withdraw all personnel involved in the illegal operation.

This was precisely as he had urged for restraint, dialogue, and a recommitment to civilized democratic conduct, saying that such an approach was needed right now.

“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 a 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,” he said.

“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,” he warned.

On the ruling given by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court stopping the PDP from holding its convention, Chief George described the verdict as simply an interference in the internal affairs of the party, saying that it portrayed him as indirectly working for the ruling party All Progressives Congress (APC).

The PDP chieftain maintained that his ruling negated the judgement delivered by the Supreme Court which stated that party convention and congress were internal affairs which judiciary had no power to dabble into.

“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,” he said.

George further condemned the verdict, alleging that the move made by Justice Omotosho was an attempt to set Nigeria on fire, and, therefore, called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun and the Nigeria Judicial Council (NJC) to call Justice Omotosho and his likes to order.

“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.

“I call on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council to call this 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?” he queried.

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