Former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George has warned that Nigeria must not be turned to Russia over the manner the police laid siege to the national secretariat of the PDP in Abuja.
His condemnation followed alleged denial of access to members of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) at the national secretariat.
THE WHISTLER reports that security operatives took over the PDP headquarters, preventing the BoT members from entering the National Executive Committee (NEC) hall to hold their meeting.
The development forced the BoT to move the meeting to the Yar’Adua Centre in the Central Business District.
But the police denied sealing the secretariat in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh. The command described the reports as “false, misleading, and not reflective of the true situation on ground.”
She said, “The FCT Police Command is aware of the news making the rounds alleging that the police sealed off the PDP secretariat in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.
“The command wishes to categorically state that this information is false, misleading, and does not reflect the true situation on ground.
“Police officers were only deployed to the venue to maintain law and order and ensure public safety in line with their constitutional mandate. At no time was the secretariat sealed off by the police.
“The Commissioner of Police, FCT, urges media outlets to verify information through the office of the command police public relations officer before disseminating.”
But reacting to the blockade, Bode George said, “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 slammed the police saying, “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.
“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.”
According to George, some security agents at the scene said they were acting on orders from above.
“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.
He, however, advised that those behind the incident should “allow a sleeping dogs to lie” and face the economic, financial, education, and infrastructure problems facing the country.