A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has criticised the recent ruling of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria on the party’s leadership crisis, describing it as “absolutely disgusting and disheartening.”
George made the remarks on Thursday during an interview on the programme Frontline on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ilese Ijebu, monitored in Abeokuta.
He was reacting to the ruling delivered by the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal, which upheld a decision of the Federal High Court of Nigeria nullifying the PDP’s 2025 national convention held in Ibadan.
The Abuja court also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the convention where Kabiru Tanimu Turaki emerged as national chairman, citing the party’s failure to comply with constitutional and internal guidelines before conducting the event.
Reacting to the ruling, George accused parts of the judiciary of undermining justice and fairness.
“There is a Court of Appeal in Abuja that went all and decided on a judgment that I call absolutely disgusting, disheartening. It was a show of shame that legal luminaries who sit down and turn the truth upside down,” he said.
He questioned the integrity of the judicial process, arguing that some judges appear to disregard justice and fairness in their decisions.
“The lady of justice, blindfolded in front of every court, holds a sword and a scale to dispense justice fairly. Because it’s the judiciary in this country, and not the majority of them, if some of them will see the truth, then tell lies and swing results, even laymen like me ask: did these people go to law school? What is going on in Nigeria, for God’s sake? There is no justice, fairness, or equity anymore,” he added.
George also pointed to what he described as a contrasting decision by the Ibadan division of the Court of Appeal, which he said adopted a more conciliatory approach.
“The same Court of Appeal in Ibadan looked at the case and said, ‘All issues of elected managers within your party are party matters, not for courts.’ They urged parties to go back, meet, reconcile, and return for a consent judgment if possible.
“Compare that with the ruling in Abuja. It’s the same court, for God’s sake. What is going on in this country?” he said.
The PDP leader further attributed the party’s crisis to internal greed and mismanagement, urging members, especially younger Nigerians, to learn from past political experiences and demand justice in current political affairs.
On efforts to resolve the dispute, George said the party had accepted the Ibadan court’s advice to pursue reconciliation.
He noted that a team had been set up to engage with other factions, in line with initiatives by the PDP Board of Trustees led by Adolphus Wabara aimed at restoring unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
George also stated that the party may approach the Supreme Court of Nigeria if necessary to challenge the Abuja ruling.
