By Shola Abayomi.
The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a notice to workers at its national headquarters Abuja, including those of the Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI) of its plan to downsize its workforce.
According to a statement by the Chairman, PDP/PDI Staff Welfare Committee, Mr. Innocent Nwankwo, the monthly wage bill of both the PDP and PDI amounts to about N15m while the total staff strength is 96.
The committee chairman noted that the party’s decision to downsize its workforce was not consequent upon a depleting purse, stressing that the party still had a solid financial base with 16 State Governors, 44 senators, 131 House of Representatives members and about 390 members of States’ Houses of Assembly.
He also stated that the affected workers would be paid their severance allowances as contained in the party’s Establishment Manual signed by the party’s National Chairman, Uche Secondus.
The statement reads in part: “That NWC notified staff of their intention to downsize staff. That the report of the Committee set up to that effect has not been received and discussed by NWC.
“That at the point of implementation of the report when submitted, the staff affected will be paid their severance allowances as contained in the party’s Establishment Manual duly signed by the National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus.
“On the monthly wage bill of Establishment Staff (PDP/PDI) put together, the total amount is about N15m, contrary to the earlier reported N65m. That the total staff strength of both PDP and PDI is 96 in number, contrary to the earlier reported figure of 120 in number.
“That PDI which is the research arm of the party has been on the payroll of the party at inception till date contrary to the earlier report that it was merged thereby over-blotting the staff strength of the party since 2016.
“That the fortunes of the party has not nosedived as reported because as at today, the party can boast of 16 governors, 44 senators, 131 House of Representatives and 390 State Assembly members.”
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan is yet to comment on the issue.