Bode George Warns Against Authoritarianism As Police Disrupt PDP Meeting.
Chief Bode George, a prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has issued a stark warning to the Federal Government, urging it not to transform Nigeria into an authoritarian state reminiscent of North Korea. The caution came after police barricaded the PDP’s National Secretariat in Abuja, preventing the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) from holding scheduled meetings on Monday.
Addressing journalists in the wake of the incident, George expressed dismay at the heavy police presence at Wadata Plaza, the PDP’s headquarters, which barred senior party members, including himself, from accessing the premises. He described the action as a troubling assault on democratic principles, questioning whether a court order justified the blockade. “It’s strikingly annoying. This is our property. Was there any court order to say we will not hold our meeting in our office? What is going on?” he said.
Drawing parallels to Nigeria’s turbulent political history, George referenced the crises of the early 1960s in the South West, warning that such actions could plunge the country into chaos. “I was a young man in 1962 when it all started in the South West. We must avoid that madness. Can’t we sit and talk? What is the essence of democracy?” he asked, urging dialogue over confrontation.
George accused the authorities of stifling democratic expression by deploying armed police to halt a peaceful party meeting, a move he said was orchestrated on orders “from above.” He vowed that the PDP would proceed with its NEC meeting at an undisclosed venue, undeterred by the disruption. “You came to our office, surrounded it with police because we want to have a meeting? You want to turn us into North Korea or Russia? We will not allow it. Nigerians will not allow it,” he declared passionately.
The PDP chieftain’s remarks reflect growing concerns about shrinking democratic space in Nigeria. He called on the government to uphold the principles of free assembly and political discourse, warning that such heavy-handed tactics risk alienating citizens and undermining the nation’s democracy. As the PDP regroups to address its internal challenges, George’s outspoken stance serves as a rallying cry for safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic values.
