Senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) figure Chief Olabode George has sharply criticized a Federal High Court ruling that suspended the party’s upcoming National Convention, describing the decision as “judicial brigandage” and warning of its potential to destabilize Nigeria’s democratic framework.

The ruling, delivered on Friday by Justice James Omotosho, bars the PDP from holding its scheduled November 15–16 convention in Ibadan and prohibits the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing any outcomes. The judgment stems from a suit filed by unnamed plaintiffs alleging procedural violations in the party’s ward and local government congresses.

George, a former PDP Deputy National Chairman and Atona Oodua of Yorubaland, issued a strongly worded statement on Saturday, calling the court’s intervention “the joke of the century” and likening its implications to the 1962 Western Region crisis that contributed to the collapse of Nigeria’s First Republic. He urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council to investigate the ruling, arguing that the PDP had complied with its internal constitution and INEC guidelines throughout the convention planning process.

“This is an open recipe for anarchy,” George stated. “Nobody should teach us what we already know. INEC was present at our preparatory congresses and raised no objections. This ruling is a dangerous precedent.”

The PDP leadership has pledged to appeal the decision, maintaining that all procedures were lawfully followed. Party officials expressed concern that judicial interference in internal party affairs could undermine democratic institutions and electoral integrity.

This is not the first time legal challenges have disrupted PDP activities. A similar suit recently halted ward congresses, exacerbating internal tensions amid defections and leadership contests. The now-suspended convention was expected to elect new national executives and recalibrate the party’s strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

George’s remarks underscore growing unease within Nigeria’s opposition ranks over judicial involvement in political processes. As the PDP convenes emergency meetings to chart a path forward, the ruling raises broader questions about the balance between legal oversight and political autonomy in Nigeria’s evolving electoral landscape.