IBRAHIM QUADRI
A former Deputy National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George has condemned the invasion of the National Secretariat by uniformed security personnel, saying such act was a dangerous affront to democracy and the rule of law.
Bode George stated this during a press conference in his office, Ikoyi, Lagos, noting the brigandage was done in concert with a minority faction of the party.
The Atona Oodua maintained that the action which came up after the judgement stopping PDP Convention was illegal and unlawful act by the security agents, adding “it is clearly a recipe for anarchy.”
In October 31 Federal High Court judgement delivered by Justice James Omotosho, ordered the stoppage of the PDP Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
George said, “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.
“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 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.”
Continuing, the elder statesman added, “The Supreme Court said the 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 the political class.
“His judgement 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 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?”
He called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council to call the 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,” George queried.
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