The Peoples Democratic Party has rejected claims that it is imposing a levy of N10,000 on its members to finance party activities, describing such reports as inaccurate and misleading.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party faulted a report by a national newspaper which suggested that the PDP had begun levying its members, insisting that the claim was false.
According to the statement, the PDP’s approach to funding its activities is anchored on returning to the people and relying on voluntary contributions rather than compulsory levies.
Ememobong recalled how, in 1998, the party was sustained through small voluntary donations from supporters, which helped to strengthen its voice and advance its political objectives.
“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 further clarified that there is no stipulated amount, no mandatory payment and no obligation placed on any PDP member, noting that individuals are free to support the party in whatever way they deem suitable and convenient.
Ememobong urged party members and the general public to disregard what he described as a misleading headline, stressing that the PDP leadership has no intention of imposing levies on members and will never adopt such a measure.
The statement also reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to transparency and accountability in its financial dealings, adding that voluntary contributions from members and supporters remain critical to the party’s growth and development.
While expressing hope that the clarification would correct public misconceptions, the party accused some sections of the media of sensational reporting, noting that other reputable media organisations had reported its activities accurately.
It added that the PDP’s voluntary funding model aligns with its commitment to grassroots politics, expressing confidence that members would continue to support the party willingly.
The clarification has reportedly been welcomed by many PDP members and supporters, who view it as a reaffirmation of the party’s stance on transparency and accountability.
The statement concluded by urging members to continue supporting the party in ways they consider appropriate and convenient as it works towards reclaiming 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.”
It continued, “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.”
