IT is so easy to condemn the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for celebrating the return from prison of Chief Olabode George, a former naval officer, on whom the PDP has hung its ambitious electoral plans for the South West, especially Lagos.

What would the other parties criticising the celebrations have done if George, a former National Deputy Chairman of their party had made it to jail and back successfully?

For once, someone should give PDP credit for not being pretentious. It believes in George. It hopes that the release of George will enhance its chances in the elections.

The celebrations centre on this expectation. Were the elections not so close, the President would have awarded George a quick pardon. He could have been made a candidate in the elections if the wave of public opinion showed that he would win something for PDP.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed George chairman of the board of Nigeria Ports Authority. Obasanjo did his best to shield him from the law when he was accused of contract splitting.

Twice the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, investigated George, twice Obasanjo ignored its findings. The reports of the same investigations were used in convicting George after Obasanjo left office.

PDP is celebrating the return of a good party man.It is in these lights that we
appreciate Obasanjo’s position on George. Everyone who is celebrating with George says he was unjustly jailed. Obasanjo said he merited his jail term.

Should we applaud Obasanjo? Only those who do not know him will. After a belated shame on attending the elaborate thanksgiving service, Obasanjo wanted to return to his high moral ground.

“Whatever we may say, the reason Bode went to prison should be condemned by everybody and I have condemned it. He did not go to prison for political offence.

If he had been sent to prison for political offence, then he comes back and all his political associates may get round him. PDP as a party must dissociate itself from celebrating criminality,” Obasanjo said. Why was Obasanjo busy saving George? When did he know about the criminality in George’s conduct?

Obasanjo wants the public to believe he was deceived into attending the thanksgiving service.

George fired back at Obasanjo, “I am shocked that such a statement could come from Chief Obasanjo. I am shell-shocked to hear he said the conviction borders on criminality, even those people in court did not say we stole money.”

There is no doubt that George holds to his innocence, which Obasanjo also supported until he left office. What we are seeing is the hypocrisy that makes it impossible to condemn crimes by the high and mighty.

George’s supposed electoral value is more important than the moral standards for building this society. PDP can readily point out other Georges in other parties.

If George believes he is innocent, a presidential pardon is all he needs for a full return. Will he get it to complete the deceit?