…Warns Wike against actions fueling crisis

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fully implement the recent Supreme Court judgment on the party’s internal affairs, warning that continued delay could undermine public confidence in democratic institutions.
In a statement titled “The Supreme Court Has Spoken: INEC Must Comply,” George said the apex court had conclusively settled issues surrounding the PDP’s leadership structure and internal processes, stressing that its verdict was binding on all parties.
According to him, the judgment affirmed the party’s constitutional authority to manage its affairs and upheld disciplinary measures taken against individuals who acted contrary to its rules.

George argued that the Supreme Court’s decision was not open to selective interpretation or administrative discretion, describing it as the final pronouncement on the matter.
“The Supreme Court has spoken on the affairs of the PDP. Its judgment affirmed the lawful structure and democratic operations of the party,” he said.
The PDP chieftain, however, expressed concern over what he described as the failure to fully implement the judgment weeks after it was delivered and communicated to the relevant authorities.

He questioned why a judgment of the nation’s highest court should remain unattended despite its clear provisions and wondered why communications relating to its enforcement appeared to have received no response.
George said the development raised serious concerns about respect for the rule of law and constitutional governance.
The elder statesman specifically called on the Chairman of INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan, to ensure compliance with the judgment, noting that the electoral commission has a constitutional responsibility to uphold lawful decisions of the courts.

According to him, democratic institutions should not require external pressure before complying with the decisions of the judiciary.
“This is not merely about the PDP. It is about the integrity of our democratic institutions. It is about whether the rule of law will prevail over political expediency and whether constitutional order will triumph over manipulation,” he stated.
George warned that the real danger facing the country was not political disagreement but the gradual erosion of public trust in national institutions.

He maintained that when court judgments are ignored, delayed or subjected to political considerations, democracy itself is weakened.
The PDP leader further alleged that despite the Supreme Court ruling, some individuals outside the party’s recognised leadership structure were still attempting to interfere in its affairs and create confusion within the political system.
While acknowledging that political disagreements are part of democracy, George singled out the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, whom he described as the public face of the crisis rocking the opposition party.

He urged the former Rivers State governor to reflect on the implications of actions that many Nigerians perceive as deepening divisions within the PDP and heightening tensions in the country’s democratic landscape.
“What is at stake today is far greater than the fortunes of any individual politician. What is at stake is the integrity of our democratic process and the confidence of Nigerians in the institutions that sustain it,” George said.
He cautioned political actors against seeking temporary advantages at the expense of constitutional order, warning that the consequences could be far-reaching.

According to him, Nigeria needs leaders who strengthen institutions rather than weaken them, adding that the manipulation of lawful processes for political gain could endanger democratic stability.
Drawing from Nigeria’s political history, George warned that instability often begins when justice is denied and constitutional institutions fail to act impartially.
“As one who witnessed the turbulent years that preceded Nigeria’s darkest national crisis, I must sound a note of caution. Political instability does not begin with conflict. It begins when justice is denied, when lawful authority is disregarded, and when constitutional institutions fail to act courageously and impartially,” he said.

He urged INEC to act strictly in line with the Supreme Court judgment and the provisions of the Constitution.
George also called on former Heads of State, traditional rulers, religious leaders, senior jurists and other prominent Nigerians to speak out in defence of justice, due process and constitutional governance.
“Silence at critical moments in a nation’s history can be costly,” he added.