The Democratic Front (TDF) has condemned what it described as the spurious accusations by the former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George against the Judiciary on a recent Appeal Court ruling which upheld an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), from recognizing the state congresses organized by the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Danjuma Mallam Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, it argued that as a former military administrator, Chief George is expected to know that the Judiciary only acted as a constitutional arbiter in a case brought before it by aggrieved party members.
It said: “We find it particularly sad that Chief Bode George was accused with a clear intent to blackmail the Judiciary, and with prejudice to the right of aggrieved members of the ADC to seek redress in a court of law, over what they perceived as a breach of their fundamental rights.
“The attempt by Chief Bode George and the other members of the opposition to spin the narrative as a conspiracy by the Judiciary against the ADC is irresponsible, rascally, and unfounded.
“We recall that the current intra-party crisis in the ADC was triggered by the cavalier-style invasion of the party by the David Mark leadership, with disregard for due constitutional process and the stipulations of extant laws governing registration and functions of political parties in Nigeria.
“It is equally important to note that the party leadership indeed committed a political sacrilege when it abruptly terminated the State Executive Committees (EXCOs) before the expiration of their tenure of office.
“It was this brazen onslaught on democracy and the rule of law that the judgement of the Court of Appeal, which Bode George and his fellow opposition politicians are castigating, seeks to neutralise.
“Therefore, we condemn the reckless statements and negative postulations made by Bode George and his co-adventurers against the rule of law and the institution of the judiciary. In our view, it is the greed and desperation for power by politicians in the opposition that is solely responsible for the crisis currently rocking opposition parties, not the Judiciary, as wrongly portrayed by Bode George.”
The group urged Nigerians to ignore Chief Bode George and other opposition elements who are resorting to blackmailing the Judiciary in recent months.
