PDP denies N10,000 levy reports, describing claims of compulsory contributions as false and misleading

The Peoples Democratic Party has firmly denied reports claiming it directed members to contribute N10,000 each to fund party activities, describing the allegation as false, misleading and a distortion of its position.

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The denial was contained in a press statement issued on Sunday by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Comrade Ini Ememobong, in response to a publication by The Observer Times.

The PDP faulted the report, titled “PDP Calls on Members to Contribute N10,000 Each in Bid to Fund Party Activities,” saying the headline did not reflect the substance of remarks made during the interview on which the story was based.

According to the party, while the body of the report accurately quoted statements made by its representative, the headline amounted to clickbait and presented a subjective interpretation that misrepresented the PDP’s stance.

The opposition party noted that several other media organisations reported the same interview without sensationalism, accurately conveying its position on party funding.

Clarifying the issue, the PDP explained that the comments in question were made in response to a query on how the party planned to finance its operations following recent defections by some state governors.

The party said it merely reiterated its long-standing commitment to voluntary, grassroots-based funding, rather than compulsory levies imposed on members.

Quoting directly from the interview, the PDP recalled stating: “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 party stressed that the reference to N10,000 was used purely as an illustration to demonstrate the potential strength of collective voluntary support and was not a directive or policy decision.

“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 said.

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The PDP urged its members and the general public to disregard what it described as a misleading headline and to continue supporting the party through voluntary means they deem appropriate.