PDP Moves to End Face-off with Workers Vows to reorganise party

There were indications on Tuesday that the stand-off between some members staff of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) might be resolved soon.

Jonathan in Rivers State

THISDAY gathered that the workers held  a brief meeting yesterday at the party’s national secretariat to consider an offer said have been made to them by the management.

At the end of the meeting, a source said the workers accepted to end the face-off following some approvals made by the NWC to meet their demands.

“The NWC is said to have approved N5 million for personal and administrative staff respectively. Specifically, each staff will go home with N25,000 as Eid-il-fitir sallah bonus.”

Also, it was learnt  that payment for July salary has been approved.

However, before the meeting took place, the PDP workers had a hectic time trying to gain access into the party secretariat as they  were initially denied access by the security  personnel sent to guard the place.

Also, journalists and other visitors who came to transact business at the secretariat, were asked to identify themselves before they were admitted.

THISDAY gathered that the workers’ lock-out may be a measure taken by the management of the party to enforce the 50 per cent staff reduction earlier announced by the PDP National Working Committee (NWC).

The workers who arrived as early as 8a.m. met a stern looking security personnel deployed from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and private security guards that provide security at the opposition party’s secretariat.

It was not until around 10a.m. that the security operatives allowed the staff access after the intervention of the Director of Administration, Alhaji Bawa Gurama.

It was learnt that Gurama instructed the security personnel to allow the staff access to their offices after they were thoroughly screened.

Meanwhile, the  NWC of the party has said that it will not be deterred, blackmailed or cowed from taking objective  steps necessary for sound political health, astute opposition and general re-organisation of the party.

In a statement issued by the National Pubilicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party said the “attention of the NWC has been drawn to the unnecessary and unfortunate reaction of Junior, Intermediate and Supervisory members of  staff under the auspices of PDP Staff Welfare Committee in reaction to  NWC directive on re-organisation and re-structuring of the party.”

The party also assured all its members and indeed Nigerians that the finances of the party had been handled in line with standard financial regulations governing political parties and the constitution of the PDP.

“The NWC also notes the steps by the management committee in the matter. The NWC appreciates the concerns of all stakeholders of the party and  assures all members that it will not be deterred in its sworn responsibility to reposition, re-organise and re-structure the party.

“For the purpose of clarity, the process of staff re-organisation is a  sub-component of the reform process in the party. Consequently, the NWC  further affirms that the internal memo emanating from the office of the

National Secretary stands.

“Subsequently, as custodians of the PDP constitution, the NWC will be  guided by the provisions of the constitution in dealing with all matters  related to staff especially schedule iv (staff rules) of the 2012 constitution as amended,” it said.

PDP Moves to End Face-off with Workers Vows to reorganise party