Chief Bode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has formally requested the National Judicial Council (NJC) to intervene in what he describes as a threat to the judiciary’s independence. His appeal follows a controversial court ruling linked to the ongoing leadership struggle within his party.
In a letter to the NJC, George stated that the judiciary must remain a neutral guardian of the Constitution. He expressed grave concern regarding a recent legal decision that dismissed a suit filed by the PDP Board of Trustees. The suit aimed to force the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognize the party leadership faction led by Mr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, citing existing court orders from the Supreme Court and other superior courts.
Instead of addressing whether INEC was legally obligated to honor these previous judgments, the court labeled the case a misuse of its time. Furthermore, the court imposed significant financial penalties of N140 million on the Board of Trustees and an additional N10 million on their legal counsel. George criticized the court’s decision as an attempt to disregard the hierarchy of law, arguing that lower courts cannot ignore binding precedents set by higher authorities.
The PDP leader also condemned the recent actions of the faction associated with Nyesom Wike, which purportedly expelled high-ranking party officials. He characterized this move as both illogical and a violation of the party’s foundational structure. George emphasized that the NJC has a constitutional duty to ensure judicial officers uphold ethical standards and maintain impartiality. He warned that if public trust in the courts continues to diminish due to perceived political influence, the entire framework of Nigeria’s constitutional democracy is at risk.
