CYRIL MBAH, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not admit that the party is broke but it has however, denied reports that it imposed a levy of N10,000 each on its members to fund party activities.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party described insinuations by a national newspaper that it has started levying its members as “false and misleading.”
The statement explained that the party’s strategy for funding its activities involves going back to the people and relying on voluntary contributions.
Ememobong cited the example of 1998 when people made small contributions to fund the party, giving it a voice and the strength to push ahead.
“The PDP believes in voluntary contributions, irrespective of the amount, as a legitimate and time-tested model of grassroots political funding.
The reference to N10,000 was purely illustrative, intended to demonstrate the collective strength of voluntary support.”
The party clarified that there is no fixed amount, no compulsory payment, and no obligation imposed on any member of the PDP saying members are free to support the party in ways they consider appropriate and convenient.
Ememobong, in the statement, urged PDP members and the public to discountenance the misleading headline and continue to support the party, stating that the party leadership will not impose any levy on members, and it will never seek to do so.
The PDP stated that it is committed to transparency and accountability in its financial dealings, pointing out that the party believes that voluntary contributions from members and supporters are essential to its growth and development, the statement added.
While the PDP hopes that the clarification will put the record straight, the party accused some sections of the media of sensationalism, stating that other credible media organisations were reporting PDP activities accurately.
The party’s voluntary model of funding, the statement said, is in line with its commitment to grassroots politics adding that the PDP is confident that its members will continue to support the party voluntarily.
The PDP’s clarification has been welcomed by many of its members and supporters, who see it as a reaffirmation of the party’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
The party statement concluded by stating that the leadership has urged members to continue to support the party in ways they consider appropriate and convenient, as it strives to win back power in Nigeria.
The statement reads: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has noted with concern a report published by a media platform, under the misleading headline: ‘PDP Calls on Members to Contribute N10,000 Each in Bid to Fund Party Activities.”
The headline is as false as it is misleading, and does not reflect the substance of what was stated.
“Although the body of the report correctly quoted remarks made during a television interview, the headline represents either clickbait or a subjective interpretation of the interview.
Other credible media organisations reported the same interview accurately, without resorting to sensationalism.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the following is a verbatim excerpt of the response given to a question on how the PDP intends to fund its political activities in the wake of recent defections by some governors.
“The strategy is simple: go back to the people. When the people are with you voluntarily, they fund the cause. In 1998, people made small contributions to fund the party, and that gave them a voice.
“We are returning to that voluntary model.
For example, if 60 million Nigerians give N10,000 each, that’s a huge sum. We are already seeing this kind of mass support in states like Plateau and Akwa Ibom.”
“The statement above clearly affirms the PDP’s belief in voluntary contributions, irrespective of amount, as a legitimate and time-tested model of grassroots political funding.
The reference to N10,000 was purely illustrative, intended to demonstrate the collective strength of voluntary support, and not a directive, levy, or mandatory contribution.
“Let it be stated unequivocally: there is no fixed amount, no compulsory payment, and no obligation imposed on any member of the PDP.
“We therefore urge our members and the public to discountenance the misleading headline and continue to support the party at all levels in ways they consider appropriate and convenient.”
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