In a striking development that reflects growing tension in Nigeria’s political climate, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and retired Navy Commodore, Bode George, has condemned the deployment of police officers to a recent PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting in Abuja. He described the move as “highly irregular” and a dangerous precedent in what is supposed to be a democratic society.

 

“This is unusual in a democracy,” George stated, likening the act to tactics used in authoritarian regimes. “Are we turning Nigeria into North Korea or Russia?” he asked, expressing grave concern about what he sees as the misuse of state security forces for political intimidation.

 

Drawing from his dual experience in both military and civilian governance, George remarked, “I’ve seen both sides — this is the voice of Jacob but the hand of Esau. Let sleeping dogs lie.” His comment served as a pointed warning about the fragile balance of Nigeria’s democracy and the risks of state overreach.

 

George also highlighted deep internal challenges within the PDP itself, including moral, economic, and structural problems that he said require urgent attention. “We (PDP) have moral problems, economic, financial, education, infrastructure… they should face that,” he said, urging authorities to focus on national development rather than interfering in party affairs.

 

Defending the autonomy of the PDP, George rebuked any suggestion that the party cannot hold its internal meetings. “Are you saying that PDP cannot conduct meetings? It’s the only political Iroko tree in this country, and you say we cannot stand? Can you tell a tree in the bush not to stand?” he asked rhetorically, reinforcing the PDP’s role as a longstanding force in Nigerian politics.

 

He also cautioned against external solutions to internal party issues, stating: “PDP is not a private enterprise. You don’t resolve its problems outside. You must sit down. If you want to resolve our crises, don’t pretend there are none.”

 

With these statements, Bode George issues a powerful warning — not just to ruling authorities, but to all Nigerians — about the dangers of state interference in political opposition. His words, steeped in decades of political and military experience, serve as both a critique and a cautionary tale for the future of Nigeria’s democracy.