PDP Crisis Deepens As Bode George Petitions NJC Over Controversial Leadership Judgment

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to protect the independence, integrity and credibility of Nigeria’s judiciary following a recent court judgment linked to the party’s leadership crisis.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In an open letter addressed to the Chairman of the NJC on Friday, George expressed concern that the ruling could erode public confidence in the judicial system and weaken constitutional democracy if left unaddressed.

According to the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) member, the suit was filed by the party’s BoT Chairman and other members to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to comply with existing court judgments by updating its records to recognize the PDP leadership headed by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).

George argued that the application was anchored on valid judgments of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and Federal High Court. However, he faulted the court for dismissing the case as a “waste of judicial time” without, in his view, properly considering the constitutional issues raised.

The court also awarded ₦140 million in costs against the PDP Board of Trustees and an additional ₦10 million against its counsel.

In the letter titled The Imperative of Preserving the Sanctity, Independence and Integrity of the Nigerian Judiciary, George maintained that the case deserved a full hearing because it sought to enforce existing judicial decisions.

“The matter before the court was far from frivolous,” he said, noting that the applicants merely sought an order compelling INEC to give effect to subsisting judgments by recognizing the Turaki-led leadership of the PDP instead of the faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

George questioned why the court dismissed the suit before addressing whether INEC was legally bound to comply with those judgments, describing the decision and the heavy cost award as troubling.

George Criticizes Wike-Linked Faction

The PDP elder also condemned the reported expulsion of senior party figures by the faction associated with Wike, arguing that the move defied both party tradition and common sense.

Describing the action as “the greatest joke in the civilized international community,” George likened it to “a child expelling his father from his own house while the father is still alive.”

He insisted that permanent members and custodians of the party could not simply be removed in the manner reportedly adopted, expressing disappointment that the court still concluded that the case amounted to a waste of judicial time.

‘Court Judgments Must Be Obeyed’

George stressed that Nigeria’s constitutional democracy is built on respect for the hierarchy of courts and strict compliance with binding judicial decisions.

He emphasized that Supreme Court judgments are final and binding on all authorities, while decisions of the Court of Appeal and other superior courts remain enforceable until overturned by a court of competent jurisdiction.

According to him, no government agency has the discretion to ignore valid court judgments simply because it disagrees with their outcome.

He argued that the issues raised by the case extend beyond the PDP’s internal leadership dispute, touching on broader concerns about constitutional governance, the rule of law and respect for judicial authority.

Calls for NJC Action

George urged the NJC to fulfill its constitutional mandate of protecting judicial independence, discipline and ethical standards, warning that public trust in the courts could be undermined if judicial decisions are perceived to be influenced by politics.

He described the judiciary as the final guardian of the Constitution and the last hope of citizens seeking justice, stressing that any perception of political interference poses a serious threat to the credibility of the courts.

“The Nigerian people deserve a justice system they can trust,” he said, adding that judicial integrity is essential to preserving democracy and preventing institutional decline.

George further argued that the independence of the judiciary is the cornerstone of liberty and the rule of law, urging the NJC to demonstrate courage and impartiality in defending the integrity of the Bench.

He concluded by calling on the council to uphold judicial ethics and accountability, saying such action would reassure Nigerians that justice remains free from political influence and firmly rooted in the Constitution and the rule of law.