Elder statesman and former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has declared that he will never abandon the opposition party despite the prolonged internal crisis threatening its unity, insisting that the PDP remains a vital pillar of Nigeria’s democracy.
George also took a swipe at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, describing as “daydreaming” claims that the minister’s loyalists had taken control of the PDP structure in Lagos State.
Speaking with journalists at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos, George reaffirmed his loyalty to the party and vowed to continue speaking out against actions he believes could undermine its integrity.
“I will not wait and watch the party being denigrated. The Board of Trustees is the conscience of the PDP, and we must not allow this party to die. Until I die, I will continue to tell the truth to power,” he said.
The PDP chieftain made the remarks while unveiling an open letter addressed to the Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC), titled “The Imperative of Preserving the Sanctity, Independence and Integrity of the Nigerian Judiciary.” In the letter, he called on the judiciary to courageously uphold the Constitution and the rule of law in the ongoing legal battles surrounding the PDP leadership crisis.
Responding to Wike’s assertion that his camp had taken over the PDP structure in Lagos, George dismissed the claim outright.
“Wike is daydreaming,” he said. “Politics is not a game of impulse. I am a trained general; I do not go to war carelessly. Every serious battle requires strategy and consultation.”
He also expressed disappointment over recent political developments involving some PDP figures, warning against actions capable of weakening the party’s foundation.
Drawing an analogy, George said political loyalty should resemble a tree firmly rooted in the ground, noting that once a branch disconnects itself from the trunk, it risks withering away.
“A rolling stone gathers no moss. Remain faithful to your creator and to the principles that brought you this far. A house built on a weak foundation will eventually collapse. The greatest lesson I have learned in politics is that the enemy within is often more dangerous than the enemy outside,” he stated.
George Takes Judiciary Battle to NJC
In his letter to the NJC, George expressed concern over a recent court judgment arising from a suit filed by members of the PDP Board of Trustees seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise a faction of the party led by Chief Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), which they argued had been validated by previous court rulings.
According to him, the lawsuit sought to enforce existing judgments of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and Federal High Court by directing INEC to update its records and reflect what he described as the authentic leadership of the party.
However, George faulted the court for dismissing the suit and awarding ₦140 million in costs against the PDP Board of Trustees, alongside an additional ₦10 million against the party’s legal counsel.
He described the ruling as shocking and questioned the rationale behind what he viewed as a punitive judgment.
“It is the greatest joke in the civilised international community today,” he said. “How can a child expel a father from his own house while the father is still alive? Yet, those who claim to have expelled senior custodians of the party now expect everyone to accept it as normal.”
George argued that the judiciary must remain steadfast in protecting constitutional democracy, stressing that judgments of superior courts remain binding until overturned by a competent authority.
“Our constitutional order is built on respect for judicial hierarchy and precedent. No institution or administrative authority has the power to ignore valid court judgments simply because they are inconvenient,” he stated.
“This Is a Defining Moment for Nigeria”
The PDP elder further warned that the ongoing dispute represents a critical test for Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the credibility of the judiciary.
According to him, the National Judicial Council must demonstrate courage and impartiality in carrying out its constitutional responsibilities, free from political interference or external pressure.
“This is a defining moment in our constitutional history,” George said. “History will judge whether those entrusted with the administration of justice rose to defend the Constitution when it mattered most.”
He maintained that the judiciary remains the last hope of ordinary Nigerians only when citizens are convinced that justice is dispensed fairly, independently and strictly according to the law.
Calling on the NJC to safeguard the integrity of the courts, George urged the council to uphold judicial ethics and accountability, insisting that public confidence in the justice system must never be compromised.
“The integrity of the judiciary is not negotiable,” he declared. “It is the lifeblood of the Nigerian Republic.”
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