The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed reports claiming that it asked 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 report by The Observer Times titled “PDP Calls on Members to Contribute N10,000 Each in Bid to Fund Party Activities,” stating that the headline did not reflect the party’s actual position.
According to the PDP, while the body of the report correctly quoted remarks 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 accurately without sensationalism.
Clarifying the issue, the PDP explained that the comments were made in response to a question on how the party plans to finance its activities following the recent defection of some governors.
The party stressed that it was only reiterating its long-held belief in voluntary, grassroots-based funding, not announcing any compulsory contribution.
Quoting from the interview, the PDP stated: “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 emphasized that the reference to N10,000 was merely illustrative, intended to show the power of collective voluntary support, and not a directive or 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 ignore the misleading headline and continue to support the PDP in ways they deem appropriate.