‘Voice of Jacob, hand of Esau’ — Bode George speaks on police blockade of PDP BoT meeting

Bode George, former deputy national chairman (south) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has condemned the blockade of the members of the party’s board of trustees (BoT) from accessing the national secretariat.

On Monday morning, security operatives took over the PDP headquarters and prevented BoT members from entering the national executive committee (NEC) hall to hold their meeting.

The BoT later moved the meeting to the Yar’Adua Centre in the Central Business District, Abuja.

Speaking at the party’s headquarters, George said the action is an attempt 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, visibly livid by the development, said it was unacceptable for security agents to barricade the party’s premises, saying the secretariat is not a private enterprise.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

George said the incident violated the rights of party elders, noting that it is akin to preventing a landlord from resolving internal family issues.

“The landlord was prevented from sitting down and discussing domestic and family problems,” he said.

According to him, some police officers at the scene claimed they were acting on orders from above, citing conflicting notices about the meeting as justification for the blockade.

“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. 

“Let me please advise: allow sleeping dogs to lie. We have more pressing problems — economic, financial, education, infrastructure. They should face that.”

Reaffirming his commitment to party unity, George said the PDP must remain a forum for dialogue, not suppression.

“PDP is the only political Iroko tree in this country. You are saying we cannot stand? Can you tell an Iroko tree in the bush that it cannot stand? Is it possible?” he asked.

“This is why we came for the meeting — PDP is not a private enterprise. You don’t resolve party matters outside. You must sit down.”

George added that the BoT hold its meeting as scheduled.

You can read the developing story here.