PDP Denies Asking Members to Contribute N10,000 for Party Funding

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed reports alleging that it directed its members to contribute N10,000 each to fund party activities, describing the claim as false and misleading.

The party made this known in a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong.

The PDP faulted a publication by The Observer Times titled “PDP Calls on Members to Contribute N10,000 Each in Bid to Fund Party Activities,” insisting that the headline did not reflect the party’s true position.

According to the PDP, while the body of the report accurately quoted comments made during an interview, the headline amounted to clickbait and a subjective interpretation that misrepresented the party’s stance.

The party noted that several other reputable media organisations reported the same interview correctly without sensationalising its contents.

Clarifying the issue, the PDP explained that the remarks were made in response to a question on how the party intends to fund its activities following recent defections by some governors.

It stressed that the comments merely reaffirmed the party’s long-standing belief in voluntary, grassroots-based funding.

Quoting from the interview, the party said: “The strategy is simple: go back to the people. When 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.”

The PDP emphasised that the reference to N10,000 was purely illustrative, meant to demonstrate the potential strength of collective voluntary support, and not a directive or compulsory levy.

“For the avoidance of doubt, there is no fixed amount, no compulsory payment, and no obligation imposed on any member of the PDP,” the statement added.

The party urged its members and the general public to disregard the misleading report and continue to support the PDP in ways they deem appropriate.