Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has condemned the exclusion of the PDP, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Labour Party (LP) from the forthcoming Rivers State House of Assembly bye-election, describing the development as a calculated attempt to undermine democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed that the three political parties would not participate in the February 21 bye-election in Rivers State.

The decision was announced in Port Harcourt by the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), who said only seven political parties met the stipulated requirements and were cleared to contest.

Reacting in a statement on Thursday, George described the decision as “arrant nonsense, absolute lunacy and tyranny of a despotic cabal desperate to rig the 2027 general elections.”

The PDP chieftain alleged that INEC was acting at the behest of powerful interests within the Presidency, claiming the commission had abandoned its constitutional neutrality.

“I strongly believe the question patriotic Nigerians should ask now is this: Is INEC now an arm of the APC?” George asked, referring to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He further alleged that the electoral body was being used to weaken opposition parties in preparation for the 2027 polls.

“How can INEC be disqualifying political parties this way? Is it because INEC wants the APC to return to Aso Rock in 2027?” he queried.

George also referenced historical precedents, warning that actions perceived as suppressing opposition voices could have grave national consequences.

Drawing parallels with political events in the First Republic, he cautioned that ignoring what he described as “small political infractions” could snowball into broader instability.

He recalled the political crisis of the early 1960s, including the imprisonment of opposition leader Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the violence that followed disputed elections in the Western Region, arguing that similar patterns of political intolerance were emerging.

The elder statesman also cited a recent incident involving the sealing of the PDP national secretariat in Abuja, which he claimed occurred without a court order, describing it as part of a broader pattern of intimidation against opposition parties.

He alleged that governors and lawmakers were being pressured to defect to the APC, while accusing the ruling party of placing political ambition above national interest.

“The APC-led Federal Government appears preoccupied with political positioning ahead of 2027, even if it means weakening institutions, suffocating the opposition and using state agencies to perpetrate these undemocratic acts.

“A recent example was the invasion and sealing of our national headquarters in Abuja without any court order. All our congresses from wards to local governments and states, including the convention were done legally. So, who invited the police to invade our headquarters? Who instructed INEC to disqualify our party from participating in various elections coming up? Is the APC-led Federal Government turning Nigeria into a one party state, ahead of the next general elections in 2027?

“It will be painful if those taking these undemocratic decisions, through their actions, will reenact what happened in 1962 in Nigeria. That was about 64 years ago. Some of these characters in INEC were not born then, so they don’t know that they are playing with fire.

“What happened between 1962 and 1966 has painfully taught us that seemingly small political infractions, when ignored, can snowball into national disasters.

“The powers-that-be then thought they were dealing with the opposition party. They didn’t know they were pulling apart this country and their devilish intentions eventually led to the collapse of the First Republic, which unfortunately dovetailed into the civil war between July 6, 1967 and January 15, 1970 when more than two million Nigerians were killed.

“As it is happening now, everything was done then to silence the opposition. The Leader of opposition, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was placed under house arrest and eventually jailed in 1963.”

George urged political leaders to reflect during the ongoing Christian Lenten season and the Muslim Ramadan fast, describing the overlapping religious observances as a symbolic moment for introspection and responsible leadership.

“For the sake of our democracy, our history, and our children, the time to act responsibly is now. Nigeria cannot afford another avoidable political collapse,” he said.