TDF Faults Bode George’s Criticism of Judiciary Over ADC Ruling

The Democratic Front (TDF) has criticised former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, over his comments on a recent Court of Appeal judgment involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing his allegations against the judiciary as baseless and misleading.

The group said the appellate court merely discharged its constitutional responsibility in deciding a dispute brought before it by aggrieved members of the ADC and should not be accused of political bias.

The position was contained in a statement signed by TDF Chairman, Danjuma Mallam Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo.

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

Reacting to George’s criticism of the ruling, TDF said it was unfortunate that a former military administrator would attempt to discredit the judiciary instead of respecting the constitutional role of the courts in resolving political disputes.

According to the group, party members who believed their rights had been violated were entitled to seek judicial intervention, adding that the court only determined issues properly brought before it.

“We find it particularly sad that Chief Bode George was accused with a clear intent to blackmail the Judiciary, and with prejudice to the right of aggrieved members of the ADC to seek redress in a court of law over what they perceived as a breach of their fundamental rights,” the statement said.

TDF also rejected suggestions that the judgment was part of a conspiracy against the ADC, insisting that such claims were intended to undermine public confidence in the judiciary.

“The attempt by Chief Bode George and the other members of the opposition to spin the narrative as a conspiracy by the Judiciary against the ADC is irresponsible, rascally and unfounded,” it stated.

The group argued that the crisis within the ADC predated the court case and stemmed from disagreements over the party’s internal leadership processes.

According to TDF, the dispute was triggered by what it described as the manner in which the leadership led by former Senate President David Mark assumed control of the party, allegedly without following due constitutional procedures.

It further alleged that the premature dissolution of the party’s state executive committees before the expiration of their tenure contributed to the internal crisis now facing the ADC.

TDF maintained that the Court of Appeal’s judgment sought to uphold the rule of law by addressing those grievances rather than interfering in the affairs of the opposition party.

The group accused opposition politicians of directing their frustrations at the judiciary instead of addressing the internal challenges confronting their parties.

It said: “We condemn the reckless statements and negative postulations made by Bode George and his co-adventurers against the rule of law and the institution of the judiciary. In our view, it is the greed and desperation for power by politicians in the opposition that is solely responsible for the crisis currently rocking opposition parties, not the Judiciary.”

The organisation urged Nigerians to disregard what it described as attempts by some opposition figures to discredit the judiciary, insisting that the courts should be allowed to carry out their constitutional responsibilities without intimidation.