For the past few days, Nigerians have been inundated with the story of the former ruling party, The Peoples Democratic Party being broke.
The internet is equally abuzz with fiction, innuendo and sprinkles of truth as to what is going on within the national secretariat of the PDP.
As usual, when it comes to politicians, politics and politicking, it is ultimately about greed, money, ego and power play.
Look, read, and let me know your thoughts…
The Genesis:-
The Truth And Revelations
July 30, 2015
The National Working Committee (NWC)
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
PDP National Secretariat,
Wadata Plaza, Abuja.
ATTN: NATIONAL SECRETARY
Dear Sir,
Re: Organization and Restructuring of Staff at the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party
Your circular dated 29th of July 2015 with the above title refers.
We the staff of the National Secretariat specifically wish to note the following:
i. Reduction of the allowances of all NWC members by 50%
ii. Reduction of the number of personal staff of the NWC members by 50%
iii. Reduction in the number of security personal attached to the National Officers by 50%
iv. The reduction of the salaries and allowances of all staff (Establishment and staff of NWC members) by 50% effective August, 2015
v. Abolition of the Research Directorate and transfer of its functions to the Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI).
vi. Establishment staff who would remain are required to obtain individual letters of revalidation from their state party chapters within one month of this circular as to their suitability for service at the National secretariat.
1. We wish to state unequivocally that the establishment staff of the National Secretariat were engaged on the basis of a well articulated establishment manual that expressly states the conditions of service therein.
2. We wish to observe that the last paragraph of your circular which requires that the staff of the National Secretariat should get a revalidation letter from their states chapters suggest that staff of the secretariat have been summarily dismissed from service. This action is contrary to the reviewed establishment manual which has been in effect.
3. While we appreciate the fact that the party is no longer in power, we are equally aware that the Party realized over Eleven Billion Naira (N11,000,000,000) in income from the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms in the last quarter of 2014. We are equally aware that the NWC collected over a billion naira from the sale of delegate forms via a company account called Morufi Nig. Ltd, Zenith Bank Account N0:1014041654. With this healthy bank balance, we find it strange that after just two months of handing over power, the NWC is proposing a 50% reduction in staff emoluments.
4. We have also observed from publications in the media that the NWC shared outrageous largesse to themselves immediately after the party’s loss in the last General Elections.
5. We are appalled by the whimsical and derisory nature of the circular which unfortunately negates all known administrative procedure. We wish to recall that the National Secretary who is statutorily in charge of the administration of the Secretariat has NEVER called for a staff meeting or held any interactive sessions with the staff since his privileged appointment.
6. We wish to draw the National Secretary’s attention to the fact that there are administrative procedures for the disengagement of staff whose appointment have been duly confirmed.
Resolutions
Based on all of the above, the staff of the National Secretariat in our meeting held on the 30th of July 2015 resolved as follows:-
i. We welcome the decision of the NWC to reduce their personal staff by 50% most of whom exist only on paper. This will save the party enormous funds frittered away on non-existent personal staff.
ii. We reject in totality the proposal to reduce staff emolument by 50%. This is because unlike the members of the NWC, the staff are solely dependent on their salaries and allowances.
iii. We reject the directives for staff members to get revalidation letters from the State chapters as this act will amount to accepting our unlawful disengagement from service.
iv. We have unwavering belief in the possibility of the party bouncing back. We therefore urge the NWC to have the same faith we have rather than engaging in activities that will undermine the resolve of the Peoples Democratic Party to rebound.
We wish to once more pledge our unflinching loyalty and support to the Party and its organs and pray that the fortunes of the party improve in due time.
Please accept assurances of our highest regards always.
Cc: Former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
Chairman and Members BOT,
Deputy Senate President
PDP Caucus in the Senate and House of Representatives
Chairman, PDP Governor’s Forum
All PDP Governors
Signed: All
Staff.
