Bode George's Allegations Against Judiciary Reckless, Baseless, Says TDF

TDF Condemns Bode George's Criticism of Judiciary, Defends Appeal Court Ruling on ADC Crisis

The Democratic Front (TDF) has condemned what it described as the reckless and unfounded accusations made by former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, against the Judiciary following a recent Court of Appeal ruling involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Danjuma Mallam Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, the group argued that the Judiciary merely discharged its constitutional responsibility by adjudicating a case brought before it by aggrieved members of the ADC.

The Court of Appeal had upheld an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the state congresses conducted by the ADC.

According to TDF, Chief George, as a former military administrator, should understand the constitutional role of the courts and refrain from making statements capable of undermining public confidence in the Judiciary.

"We find it particularly disturbing that Chief Bode George sought to blackmail the Judiciary and prejudice the constitutional right of aggrieved members of the ADC to seek redress in a court of law over what they perceived as a violation of their fundamental rights," the statement said.

The group described attempts by George and other opposition figures to portray the court's decision as part of a conspiracy against the ADC as "irresponsible, reckless and unfounded."

TDF further alleged that the current leadership crisis within the ADC was triggered by what it described as the "cavalier-style takeover" of the party by the leadership led by Senator David Mark, alleging that due constitutional procedures and provisions of the law governing political parties were ignored.

It also claimed that the abrupt dissolution of the party's State Executive Committees before the expiration of their tenure amounted to a violation of democratic principles and the rule of law.

According to the group, the Court of Appeal's judgment was intended to address those alleged constitutional breaches rather than target the opposition.

"It was this brazen assault on democracy and the rule of law that the judgment of the Court of Appeal, now being criticised by Bode George and other opposition politicians, sought to correct," the statement added.

TDF maintained that the crisis currently affecting opposition parties stems from internal power struggles rather than judicial interference.

"We therefore condemn the reckless statements and negative postulations made by Bode George and his associates against the rule of law and the institution of the Judiciary. In our view, it is the greed and desperation for power among opposition politicians that is responsible for the crisis rocking their parties—not the Judiciary, as wrongly portrayed," the statement concluded.

The group urged Nigerians to disregard what it described as attempts by Chief Bode George and other opposition figures to blackmail the Judiciary, insisting that the courts must be allowed to perform their constitutional duties without intimidation.