Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to protect the independence, integrity and credibility of Nigeria’s judiciary, expressing concern over a recent court judgment linked to the party’s leadership dispute.
In an open letter addressed to the Chairman of the NJC, George said he was compelled to speak as a concerned citizen, democrat and member of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), warning that recent developments had raised serious questions about public confidence in the administration of justice.
According to him, the suit filed by the PDP Board of Trustees sought to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to comply with existing judgments of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and Federal High Court by updating its records to reflect what he described as the authentic leadership of the party under Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).
George, however, said the court dismissed the case as a waste of judicial time instead of addressing the constitutional issues raised, including whether INEC was legally bound to implement the subsisting court judgments.
He also faulted the court’s decision to award ₦140 million in costs against the PDP Board of Trustees and an additional ₦10 million against its counsel, describing the outcome as troubling.
The PDP chieftain further criticised the Nyesom Wike-led faction’s reported expulsion of senior members of the party, arguing that such actions were illogical and inconsistent with the PDP’s structure.
“It is the greatest joke in the civilised international community today. Morally and ethically, is it possible for a child to expel a father from his house while the father is still alive?” George said.
He stressed that the issues at stake extend beyond the PDP’s internal affairs and touch on the broader principles of constitutional governance and the rule of law.
George reminded the NJC of its constitutional responsibility to preserve judicial independence, discipline and ethical standards, warning that any perception of political influence or constitutional inconsistency in judicial decisions could erode public trust in the courts.
He urged the Council to act decisively whenever judicial decisions generate widespread public concern, insisting that public confidence remains the judiciary’s greatest source of legitimacy.
According to him, the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man only as long as Nigerians believe justice is administered according to the Constitution and the rule of law, free from political interference.
George called on the NJC to uphold its constitutional mandate with courage, impartiality and firmness, saying the preservation of judicial integrity is essential to protecting Nigeria’s democracy and restoring public confidence in the nation’s justice system.
