George: Democracy Under Siege, PDP Will Not Be Captured Through Judicial Misuse

Segun James

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has warned that the nation was under political siege by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with a calculated attempt to undermine democracy through the misuse of state institutions and judicial processes.

The elder statesman had reacted to the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja which upheld the order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the state congresses conducted by committees constituted by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

According to him, the recent developments pointed to a dangerous pattern of political interference designed to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election.

“What is unfolding before our eyes is nothing short of an assault on constitutional democracy. There appears to be a deliberate attempt to weaponise institutions of state against opposition political parties because some people are afraid of allowing Nigerians to freely choose their leaders. That is not democracy. That is political intimidation.”

George described Abdulrahman Mohammed, the chairman of the Nyesom Wike-backed faction of the PDP, as someone who lacked the democratic pedigree and political experience required to lead a party of the PDP stature.

“Let me be absolutely clear. There is nothing dishonourable about being a driver. Honest labour deserves dignity and respect.

“However, nobody becomes the National Chairman of one of Africa’s largest political parties by executive fiat or political manipulation.

“Leadership is earned through years of sacrifice, service, loyalty, commitment and democratic legitimacy. The issue is not that this man was once a driver.

“The issue is that someone with no known democratic pedigree, no recognised history of building the PDP, no record of leadership within its structures and no visible contribution to the party’s growth is suddenly being projected as National Chairman.

“Who knows him in our democratic struggle? Where was he when this party was founded in 1998? What sacrifice has he made for the PDP? Leadership cannot be manufactured overnight simply because powerful interests have decided to impose someone on a political party.

“Every discerning Nigerian can see what is happening. This is not about promoting one individual. This is about infiltrating, destabilising and ultimately destroying the PDP from within. Those behind this agenda are attempting to use one man as a vehicle to weaken the opposition.”