Police block PDP BoT meeting; Bode George alleges FG interference

The BoT meeting, which was convened to deliberate on the party’s deepening leadership crisis, was halted as members were barred from accessing the main hall by a combined team of police officers and operatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Among those locked out was Chief Bode George, a former PDP Deputy National Chairman (South West) and a prominent BoT member, who condemned the action in strong terms and accused the government of undermining democratic principles.

Speaking with journalists at the scene, Chief George warned against what he described as creeping authoritarianism, drawing comparisons to repressive regimes.

“Do you want to turn us into North Korea? Or transform this country into Russia? We will not allow it. Nigerians will not allow it,” he declared.

The PDP has been enmeshed in a power tussle centred on the controversial reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary and the planned 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. The BoT had raised concerns over what it described as unconstitutional decisions and sought to intervene through Monday’s meeting.

Asked what the next steps would be, Chief George was defiant. “Of course, we will hold the meeting today. We will hold the meeting,” he insisted.

He explained that the security personnel claimed they were acting on conflicting notices issued the previous day and were deployed to maintain law and order.