PDP chieftain, Bode George, condemns court ruling stopping party’s convention

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has launched a fierce criticism against a recent court judgment that stopped the party’s upcoming national convention.

He labeled the ruling by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja as “the joke of the century,” an “open recipe for anarchy,” and a “display of judicial brigandage.”

The convention, scheduled for Ibadan, Oyo State on November 15 and 16, was halted because Justice Omotosho found that the PDP failed to comply with the 1999 Constitution, guidelines from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and its own party constitution.

The judge stated that the party did not conduct valid state congresses ahead of the planned national convention.

However, Chief George, who also holds the title of Atona Oodua of Yorubaland, issued a strongly worded statement condemning the decision.

He warned, “This judgement will consume this country,” and suggested the judge should “put down his wig and gown to join politics.”

He called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council to intervene, stating that any judgment that could lead to a breakdown of law and order should be avoided. George questioned the court’s authority, asking, “What power does he have to order PDP not to have its National Convention? Has the judiciary gone to the dogs?”

Defending the party’s processes, he pointed out that INEC officials were present and monitored all the congresses leading to the convention.

He expressed frustration that the judge did not call these officials to verify the facts, leading him to question whether the judge has a hidden political interest.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

See author's posts