Chief Olabode George, a senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) figure, has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene over what he described as a forceful police takeover of the PDP National Secretariat.
Speaking at a news conference in Lagos on Tuesday, George, a former Deputy National Chairman and current member of the PDP Board of Trustees, said the President’s silence on the matter suggested tacit approval. He warned that the alleged incident, reportedly occurring on 18 November, posed a serious threat to democracy.
George accused elements within the APC-led federal government of undermining institutions for political gain ahead of the 2027 elections, claiming that a serving federal minister encouraged a group previously expelled from the party to challenge the authority of elected PDP leaders.
Describing the alleged police occupation as “a tenant attempting to overtake the landlord,” George questioned its legality and demanded to know who authorised the action and under which law.
He drew parallels with historical political crises, warning that repeated infringements on democratic principles could destabilise the country, citing political infractions between 1962 and 1966 and the “Operation Wetie” crisis in the Western Region. George stressed that the PDP had governed for 16 years without weaponising state institutions against opposition parties.
The PDP elder also criticised the judiciary, questioning why PDP-related cases were consistently assigned to the same judges in Abuja, and emphasised that impartiality is essential to public trust and national stability.
George appealed to Minister Nyesom Wike to refrain from actions that could undermine the party that propelled his political career. He also urged First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu to reconsider the N20 billion National Library project, suggesting the funds could be better used to empower Nigerian youths.
Concluding, George warned that Nigeria stands at a crossroads, noting that repeated violations of due process risk further eroding national cohesion.
