Bode George criticises the court ruling stopping the PDP convention, warning it endangers Nigeria’s democracy and undermines party independence.
Bode George, a former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has vehemently condemned the recent Federal High Court ruling that restrained the party from holding its planned national convention in Ibadan.
He described the judgment as a grave threat to Nigeria’s democratic stability and a worrying sign of judicial interference in party affairs.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, issued the order on Friday, stopping the PDP from conducting its national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16.
The decision followed a suit alleging that the party violated provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines, and its own constitution while preparing for the event.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho stated that the PDP failed to hold valid state congresses before planning to elect new national officers, a move that, in his opinion, violated internal democratic procedures.
The ruling effectively halted all arrangements for the opposition party’s leadership renewal, leaving the PDP’s organisational direction uncertain ahead of future elections.
Reacting strongly, Bode George denounced the decision as “shocking and dangerous,” warning that it could set a negative precedent capable of undermining political stability.
According to him, allowing courts to interfere excessively in the internal affairs of political parties poses a serious risk to democratic governance.
“This judgment will consume this country,” Bode George declared in a statement.
“If the judiciary wants to decide how political parties are run, then the judge should remove his wig and gown and join politics.”
He maintained that political parties are the backbone of democracy and must be allowed to function independently without unnecessary judicial interference.
According to Bode George, the judiciary’s responsibility is to interpret the law objectively, not to meddle in party administration or leadership selection processes.
“Judges are not politicians,” he stressed. “Their role is to protect the constitution, not to dictate how parties should conduct their conventions or internal elections. This kind of interference erodes public confidence in the judicial system.”
The PDP stalwart questioned the legitimacy of the ruling, pointing out that INEC, which monitored all state congresses, did not report any irregularities.
“INEC is not complaining. The judge did not invite INEC officials to testify. So why is he raising concerns that even the commission did not raise? Does he have a political interest?” George asked.
He argued that the PDP, which has operated since 1998, has built a solid reputation for adhering to due process in its internal management.
According to him, the party’s congresses and conventions are traditionally guided by transparency and accountability, supervised by INEC in accordance with Nigeria’s electoral laws.
“This ruling undermines the autonomy of political parties,” Bode George said.
“It risks turning the judiciary into an instrument for political manipulation, which is dangerous for our democracy.”
He further cautioned that if left unchecked, judicial overreach could weaken party systems, fuel internal division, and discourage credible leadership development.
“Democracy thrives only when institutions respect their limits. Political disputes should be settled through party mechanisms, not in courtrooms,” he added.
George called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and the National Judicial Council (NJC) to urgently address what he described as a worrying trend of judicial activism in political party affairs.
He insisted that Nigeria’s democracy can only flourish when the judiciary maintains neutrality and independence.
Meanwhile, the PDP leadership has begun consulting with its legal team to challenge the ruling and explore other lawful remedies.
Party insiders confirmed that preparations are underway to file an appeal, as the leadership remains determined to proceed with its national convention once the legal restrictions are lifted.
Analysts suggest that the ruling could have wider implications for Nigeria’s political climate, especially as parties gear up for upcoming elections. Political observers warn that unchecked judicial interference may weaken institutional trust and politicise the judiciary.
According to constitutional experts, while courts have a role in interpreting laws, they must exercise restraint in party matters unless there is clear evidence of constitutional violation.
Excessive judicial involvement, they argue, could destabilise the democratic process and strip political parties of their right to self-regulation.
Bode George emphasised that democracy cannot flourish without strong and independent political institutions.
“For over two decades, the PDP has demonstrated resilience and commitment to democratic norms,” he said. “No external force should be allowed to derail that progress under the guise of judicial intervention.”
He also appealed to PDP members across the country to remain calm and united as the party pursues its legal options.
“We must not allow this judgment to divide or discourage us. Instead, we should focus on protecting our party, our democracy, and our nation’s political future,” George urged.
Beyond the PDP, the development has reignited public debate on the need to clearly define the boundaries between the judiciary and political institutions.
Civic groups and constitutional lawyers have called for reforms to prevent the courts from becoming tools of political manipulation.
As the PDP prepares its next legal steps, the controversy underscores a broader challenge confronting Nigeria’s democracy — how to balance judicial oversight with political autonomy.
For many, Bode George’s outburst reflects a growing concern that democratic progress could be reversed if the courts continue to overreach their mandate.
In the coming days, the party’s legal team is expected to file an appeal to vacate the injunction, as stakeholders rally to safeguard internal democracy.
Whether the court’s decision stands or is overturned, one thing is certain: the debate sparked by Bode George has drawn national attention to the delicate relationship between justice, politics, and democracy in Nigeria.
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