A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has accused President Bola Tinubu of ignoring his constitutional duties as the leader of Nigeria and rather pursuing the agenda of destroying opposition parties in the country.
George, in a statement on Thursday, alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are plotting to field President Tinubu as the sole candidate for the 2027 general election.
Citing a biblical example, the PDP chieftain recalled the case of Abimilech, who destroyed almost everybody and everything to become a king.
He added that God proved to Abimelech and the people of Shechem that there is nobody He created that He cannot handle.
The elder statesman called on all leaders and elders, regardless of party affiliation, to rise and condemn what is happening, which he described as evil.
“They are ready to destroy all democratic fundamentals, tenets and ethos to have their way”
“You don’t appease evil. You deal with evil,” he declared.
George also berated the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, accusing him of defending the actions of the Electoral umpire in using technicalities to sack the executives of political parties.
He, however, warned that all actions would have consequences and people won’t be in office forever.
“Enough is enough. This nation must not sink. At 80 years, what am I looking for? I was in Form 4 in secondary school when the Western Region crisis started in 1962. I don’t think some of those causing a crisis in the polity today were born then. Military or civilian, I have seen it all. We must not allow this country to go down,” he said.
He further warned that Nigeria is gradually collapsing because the leaders are not living up to expectations, warning that Nigeria is too big to be manipulated.
“We are firing the warning shot now. Nigeria is too big to be manipulated by a greedy and selfish few. Look at insecurity. This country is gradually collapsing. I don’t want to hear anything like external factors or elements. Those killing and kidnapping Nigerians all over the place are in this country. Instead of the president, as the Commander-in-Chief, to deal with these bloodthirsty maniacs, he is busy using INEC to destroy opposition parties,” he said.
INEC Has Derailed
George accused INEC of making itself a willing tool in the hands of the ruling party to destroy Nigeria’s democracy by working against the opposition.
He appealed to Nigerians not to allow such a thing to happen.
“It is unfortunate that the electoral body has become an undertaker, mandated by the ruling party to destroy this democracy.
“Unfortunately, our judiciary is also drifting. I remember the glorious years of Justices Elias, Kayode Eso, Oputa, Belgore, Uwais, and others. Today, the rot in the judiciary is appalling.
“Any evil is a reflection of injustice. There is evil in the country today. Clearly, injustice can never overcome justice. When you deliver good judgments, justice is done. When you use technicalities to deliver wrong judgments, it is injustice.
“Stupid people believe they are always wise, but wise people listen to advice. The almighty God has the final say on everything. Whatever you become today, it is nothing tomorrow. It is only the good legacy you leave behind that will last forever.
“Baba Awolowo died 39 years ago, but we are still celebrating him today. Can we do the same for today’s leaders when they leave office?
“It is unfortunate that some judicial officials are conniving with desperate politicians to ruin this democracy. What they are doing is affecting that blindfolded Lady of Justice, the symbol of the judiciary. They have removed the sword and the scale,” he said.
Tinubu Distracted By Second Term Ambition
George accused President Tinubu of failure to deal with insecurity in the country, saying he is only plotting how to return to power in 2027 while Nigerians are getting killed.
“Nigerians are being killed every day, and nobody is claiming responsibility for what is going on. The Commander-in-Chief is just issuing statements after each killing. The energy they should have deployed to deal with these criminal elements is what they are using to decimate parties.
“You want to be the only presidential candidate in 2027, in a multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-ethnic country like Nigeria in the 21st Century. How is that possible? We must encourage a multi-party democracy. That is the spinal cord of participatory democracy,’’ George submitted.