Politics
Bode George faults court order halting PDP national convention
Former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has expressed deep displeasure over the recent court order stopping the party’s forthcoming national convention.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, issued an interim injunction restraining the PDP from holding its planned convention slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The decision came after a suit was filed alleging that the opposition party violated provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regulations, and its own internal constitution during the preparations for the event.
READ ALSO: Bode George expresses shock over Mbah’s defection to APC
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho held that the PDP failed to properly conduct state congresses before proceeding with plans to elect new national officers — a procedural lapse, he said, that compromised internal democracy within the party.
The ruling has put the brakes on the PDP’s convention preparations, sparking renewed debate over the party’s internal unity and its readiness for the next general elections.
Reacting to the development, Chief George described the judgment as “shocking” and a potential threat to Nigeria’s democratic structure, warning that it could set a worrisome precedent.
He argued that the judiciary must exercise restraint in political party matters, intervening only when there is a clear constitutional violation.
“This judgment will consume this country. It is time the judge removed his wig and gown and joined politics,” George said in a statement.
The PDP stalwart further appealed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council to look into what he described as an unwarranted judicial intrusion that could breed political instability.
“Judges are not politicians. Their duty is to interpret the law, not to meddle in party administration,” he added.
George also questioned the rationale behind the ruling, noting that INEC had observed all the PDP congresses nationwide without raising any formal objections or noting irregularities.
“INEC is not complaining. The judge did not invite INEC officials. So why is he complaining? Does he have a political interest?” he queried.
He reminded Nigerians that the PDP, since its establishment in 1998, has maintained a consistent record of adhering to democratic principles and due process in its internal activities, including congresses and conventions.
According to him, the ruling threatens party independence and could turn the judiciary into a tool for political manipulation in Africa’s largest democracy.
George emphasised that internal disagreements should be addressed through established party mechanisms, as this is crucial for the growth and stability of democratic governance.
He encouraged members of the PDP to remain calm and rely on lawful means to challenge the decision in court.
The party is expected to pursue further legal steps in the days ahead as it works to defend its internal processes and regain momentum ahead of upcoming elections.
A group within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)allegedly aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has declared the suspension of Acting National Chairman Umar Damagun alongside several National Working Committee (NWC) members.
The announcement came from the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, during a Saturday briefing. Anyanwu himself had previously been suspended by the NWC following an emergency session, with allegations of anti-party conduct cited against him.
READ ALSO: PDP suspends four top officials as internal crisis deepens ahead of convention
National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, would immediately take over as Acting National Chairman.
He said: “Unfortunately, some people may say that the National Secretary, National Organising Secretary who has the responsibility of monitoring everything and the National Legal Adviser, who is responsible for all legal issues, were purportedly suspended.
“On this note, we decided to suspend the National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Ilya Damagum, for incompetence, financial misconduct and disregard for court judgment. He has been suspended for one month and should face the Disciplinary Committee.
“Secondly, we also suspended the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, for issuing statements without the party’s approval, and the Deputy National Vice Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, has also been suspended.
“The National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyenguikoro, who has been involved in alleged financial misconduct, has also been suspended.
“The National Youth Leader, Sulaiman Kadade, and the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, have also been suspended for 30 days.
“All of them will be sent to the Disciplinary Committee to show cause why they should not be expelled.
“Therefore, we are announcing the National Vice Chairman (North Central) to serve as the Acting National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman.”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has imposed suspensions on four high-ranking officials amid escalating internal conflicts before its scheduled national convention.
Those affected include National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, Deputy Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha, and National Organising Secretary Umaru Bature.
READ ALSO: Why court stopped PDP’s 2025 national convention
Each has been suspended for one month, with their cases referred to the party’s Disciplinary Committee for additional review.
Party spokesman Debo Ologunagba announced the measures following an emergency National Working Committee session held Saturday at Legacy House in Abuja.
Ologunagba emphasized that the NWC’s actions adhered to constitutional guidelines and established disciplinary protocols.
He explained that recent party developments necessitated the measures to preserve institutional order.
He stated that “the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN); Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; and National Organizing Secretary have been suspended for one month and referred to the PDP Disciplinary Committee.”
The suspensions follow a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja that halted the opposition party’s convention plans.
Justice James Omotosho’s order raised questions about the party’s legal authority to conduct the convention scheduled for Ibadan next month.
The PDP has strongly criticized the judgment, labeling it “an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process,” while maintaining that the order doesn’t nullify preparations for selecting new national leadership.
Previously, the party pledged to advance “processes and activities towards the National Convention to elect new National Officers to pilot the affairs of the Party for the next four years.”
The PDP also referenced a recent Supreme Court ruling that upheld political parties’ right to manage internal matters without outside interference. It called on members nationwide to stay united and focused as it addresses the judicial challenge.
These suspensions represent another chapter in the PDP’s ongoing struggle to maintain control and organizational integrity before the critical convention.
Days earlier, the PDP had publicly dismissed the Federal High Court’s intervention, declaring it would not disrupt the internal electoral timeline.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared its determination to move forward with its scheduled elective National Convention set for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, notwithstanding a judicial directive suspending the exercise.
As previously reported by Politics Nigeria, an Abuja-based Federal High Court issued an order preventing the party from holding the convention due to purported violations of its internal regulations.
READ ALSO: Why court stopped PDP’s 2025 national convention
Justice James Omotosho’s ruling additionally prohibited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting, announcing, or validating any results from the planned event unless the party satisfies all legal obligations.
Nevertheless, in a communiqué released Friday evening, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba announced that organizational activities continue uninterrupted.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is appalled by the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Honourable Justice Kolawole Omotosho, describing it as an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process.
“Nonetheless, the judgment does not prevent the party from continuing with activities and processes leading up to the National Convention to elect new National Officers who will steer the affairs of the party for the next four years,” the statement read.
Ologunagba referenced a recent apex court determination that reinforced the autonomy of political organizations in conducting their internal operations, urging all party members, structures, and bodies to maintain their convention preparation efforts.
He additionally revealed that the party has instructed its lawyers to promptly challenge the judgment through appellate channels, emphasizing the organization’s dedication to legal principles and the preservation of Nigeria’s multi-party democratic framework.
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