The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was thrown into more disarray on Monday when armed police officers seized its national secretariat in Wadata Plaza in Abuja, preventing members of the party's Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Executive Committee (NEC) from attending planned meetings. The siege drew harsh criticism from Chief Bode George, former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the PDP, who warned that such government tactics risk turning Nigeria into a totalitarian regime similar to Russia or North Korea.
The police blockage occurred amid a worsening leadership crisis in the PDP, with disagreements over Senator Samuel Anyanwu's restoration as National Secretary and the party's 100th NEC meeting. Security personnel, allegedly acting on "orders from above," barred BoT members from entering the NEC venue, forcing the meeting to be moved to the Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Centre in Abuja's Central Business District.
Chief Bode George, obviously outraged by the proceedings, spoke to reporters on the site, condemning the police intervention as an attack on democracy and internal party autonomy. "You came to our office, surrounded by cops, because you wanted to meet? Do you want to direct us to North Korea? Or give our nation over to Russia? We will not tolerate it. "Nigerians will not tolerate it," he said forcefully.
George called the police siege as "strikingly annoying," and questioned the legitimacy of the operation in the absence of a court order prohibiting the PDP from conducting meetings in its secretariat. "This is our property." What is happening? I was a young guy in 1962 when it all began in the South West. We must prevent such craziness. What is it? Can't we sit and talk? "What is the essence of democracy?" he said rhetorically.
The PDP leader also advised the Federal Government against using such harsh measures to plunge the nation into turmoil. He encouraged the government to prioritize tackling Nigeria's critical economic, financial, educational, and infrastructure concerns above intervening in party politics. "Allow a sleeping dog to lie," George suggested, stressing that the party's internal conflicts should be settled via conversation rather than police coercion.
The episode has prompted significant concern among PDP members and onlookers, who see the police siege as a dangerous precedent that threatens Nigeria's democratic principles. Senator Sam Egwu, former governor of Ebonyi State and a PDP supporter joined George in decrying the police takeover, calling it "an attack on democracy" reminiscent of military methods. Egwu questioned why security services would restrict party elders from visiting their own headquarters, describing the secretariat's militarization as "unusual in a democracy." He emphasized that internal party issues are natural and should be resolved without outside intervention.
The police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) troops who maintained the barrier apparently followed orders from higher authorities, but no official explanation has been offered. The PDP leadership has accused the Federal Government of intervening in the party's internal affairs with the intent of stifling dissent and weakening opposition ahead of the next elections.
The BoT meeting, which was initially slated to take place at Wadata Plaza, was quickly moved to the Yar'Adua Centre, where party elders resumed their discussions away from the heated atmosphere at the secretariat. The gathering intends to resolve the party's protracted leadership issue and restore unity ahead of crucial national elections.
This recent encounter is part of a larger trend of growing tensions between Nigeria's governing government and opposition groups, raising worries about the condition of democracy and constitutional rights. Political scholars worry that such activities risk undermining public faith in democratic institutions and causing widespread political instability if not addressed.
Chief Bode George's reference to nations like as Russia and North Korea raises concerns that Nigeria is heading toward dictatorship. His remark to "the voice of Jacob, but the hand of Esau" relates to a biblical metaphor for deceit and treachery, implying that although democratic language may be proclaimed, actions reveal a different reality.
The police siege of the PDP office and the exclusion of party elders from their meetings pose a huge threat to Nigeria's democratic process. The strong denunciation from Bode George and other PDP officials emphasizes the importance of upholding democratic standards and enabling political parties to function freely and without fear. The emerging events will put Nigeria's democracy to the test, as will its leaders' commitment to upholding fundamental liberties.
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