By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed report that it is demanding the sum of N10,000 (ten thousand naira) from each of its members to fund party activities.
The PDP specifically described the report as contained in a newspaper publication as false and misleading.
The party, in a statement on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, urged its 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.
It stated that there is no fixed amount, no compulsory payment, and no obligation imposed on any member of the PDP.
The statement by Ememobong 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 the 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”, the party stated.
