Chief Bode George, former deputy national chairman (south) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has criticised the denial of access to his party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) members at the national secretariat in Abuja.
Earlier, security operatives took over the PDP headquarters, preventing the BoT members from entering the National Executive Committee (NEC) hall to hold their meeting.
The development forced the BoT to move the meeting to the Yar’Adua Centre in the Central Business District.
Reacting to the blockade, George said the action was a ploy to stifle internal democracy.
“They said we will not hold our meetings in our office? What is going on? We must avoid that pit-line, the madness. What is it? Can’t we sit and talk? What is the essence of democracy? Nigerians are watching,” he said.
The PDP chieftain slammed the police, saying it was unacceptable for them to barricade the party secretariat, adding that the incident violated the rights of party elders.
He said, “You came to our office, surrounded by police, because you want to have a meeting? You want to turn us to North Korea? Or turn this country to Russia? We will not allow it.
“Nigerians will not allow it. I have seen both sides. Let them be very careful. Allow everybody to walk according to the law of the land.”
According to George, some security agents at the scene said they were acting on orders from above.
“You hear biblically — this is the voice of Jacob, but the hand of Esau. Whoever gave the order from above. We have heard it before. I have been on both sides — the military and the civil,” he said.
He, however, advised that those behind the incident should “allow a sleeping dogs to lie” and face the economic, financial, education, and infrastructure problems facing the country.
