Bode George, a former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has denounced the Federal High Court in Abuja’s October 31 ruling that put an end to the party’s planned national electoral convention, which was set for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Justice James Omotosho’s decision, according to George, is “a recipe for anarchy” since it goes against the Supreme Court’s explicit rulings that party congresses and conventions are only internal matters of political parties.
On Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at a news conference at his Lagos office, he made this statement.
George was taken aback by Justice Omotosho’s decision to halt the PDP convention in defiance of prior court rulings.
He emphasized that issues pertaining to political party administration and the election of their officers are not justiciable, as the Supreme Court had made clear.
“A political party’s congress to elect officers of any level of its executive committees… is its internal affairs and not within the jurisdiction of courts,” George stated.
He claims that the Supreme Court has made it plain that Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2022 only permits action on matters pertaining to party primary elections.
“The internal management of the political party is the subject of a congress to elect officers.” There is no justiciability. Consequently, any dispute emerging from it cannot be heard by a court or tribunal,” he continued.
“Justice Omotosho Is Not Correct”
George maintained that the judge’s ruling went against accepted legal norms.
He declared, “Justice Omotosho is attempting to impose his personal judicial opinion into the sacred interpretation of the apex court in his judgement stopping the PDP Convention.”
The Supreme Court ruled that the judiciary had no authority to meddle in a party’s internal affairs. Therefore, it is obvious that Justice Omotosho erred in this ruling.
The PDP leader requested the National Judicial Council and Nigeria’s Chief Justice to “call the judge to order,” cautioning against rulings that could lead to political unrest.
George chastised the judge for reportedly neglecting to invite INEC representatives, who kept an eye on the PDP congresses that preceded the convention.
“INEC is not grumbling. Even INEC representatives were not called by the judge to double-check the facts. Why, therefore, is the judge grumbling? Does he care about politics? “Does he work for APC?” he asked.
He cautioned that court meddling of this kind could jeopardize Nigeria’s democratic development. “Before they set our democracy on fire, the CJN and NJC should monitor some of these judges,” he said.
George insisted that during national conventions and congresses, the PDP had continuously followed constitutional procedures since its founding in 1998.
“Courts have no right to meddle in a political party’s internal affairs when it comes to conducting its election process,” he declared.
He bemoaned the fact that the contentious ruling has already led to security personnel purportedly supporting a small faction invading the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja.
George cautioned that the nation is in a precarious political situation and asked all parties involved to put moderation and communication first.
Nigeria is at a pivotal point in its history. Restraint, communication, and a renewed commitment to civilized democratic behavior are what are required now, he stated.
The PDP’s dedication to stability and national unity was reiterated by him.
George said, “The PDP is still dedicated to promoting harmony, peace, and the protection of democracy.”
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