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LAGOS – Chief Bode George, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has stated that the Supreme Court has spoken concerning the affairs of the party, stressing that its judgment affirmed the lawful structure and democratic operations of the party and upheld the suspension of those who acted contrary to the party’s constitutional processes.
He noted that the judgment is not a suggestion. “It’s not open to selective interpretation. It’s not subject to administrative convenience. It’s the final and binding pronouncement of the highest court in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The Atona O’odua of Yorubaland stated this on Friday in a statement, pointing out that under Nigeria Constitution, there’s no authority above the Supreme Court. “Once the Supreme Court has pronounced itself on any matter, every institution, every public officer and every agency of government is under a constitutional obligation to comply.
“That’s the foundation of democracy. That’s the essence of the rule of law. That is the bedrock of civilized governance. It’s therefore deeply troubling that weeks after this judgment was delivered and duly communicated, there appears to be an unwillingness or reluctance to give full effect to its clear provisions.
“This raises fundamental questions. Why should a judgment of the Supreme Court remain unattended to weeks after it has been delivered? Why should duly transmitted communications appear to receive no response? Why should lawful directives flowing from the highest court in the land be treated with indifference?
“The Nigerian people deserve answers. The Chairman of INEC is a distinguished Professor of Law. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). More than most Nigerians, he understands the meaning, implications and supremacy of a judgment of the Supreme Court. No Professor of Law should require persuasion to obey the law. No democratic institution should require pressure before complying with the decision of the nation’s highest court.
“This is not merely about the PDP. This is about the integrity of our democratic institutions. This is about whether the rule of law will prevail over political expediency. This is about whether constitutional order will triumph over manipulation.
“The real danger before us is not partisan disagreement. The real danger is the gradual erosion of public confidence in our institutions. When court judgments are ignored, delayed or subjected to political calculations, democracy itself is weakened.
“There’s another matter that cannot be ignored. The Supreme Court has affirmed the authority of the PDP to regulate its internal affairs in accordance with its constitution and democratic processes. Those who were subjected to disciplinary measures by the party have sought every available avenue to challenge those decisions. The law has spoken.
“Despite this, there appears to be a continuing effort by certain individuals outside the recognised leadership structure of the party to interfere with its affairs, frustrate its lawful processes and create confusion within the political system.”
George warned that a democracy cannot function properly when political actors seek to operate simultaneously as insiders and destabilisers. “Political parties are built on discipline, loyalty, internal democracy and respect for collective decisions. No individual, regardless of status or influence, should place personal ambition above the interests of the party or the stability of the nation.
“No one can profess loyalty to one political party while advancing the interests of another. No one can claim allegiance to one platform while actively working against its constitution, leadership and democratic processes.
