Metuh: Blackmail won’t stop restructuring of PDP

Olisa Metuh, national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says no amount of blackmail will prevent reorganisation of the opposition party.

On Friday, the party announced a cost-cutting policy that includes reducing staff strength by 50 per cent and cutting staff salaries and allowances by the same margin.

The affected staff rejected the decision, accusing the PDP’s National Working Commission (NWC) of  corruption and urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the NWC.

Commenting on the development, the PDP spokesman described the reactions of the staff as unnecessary.

“The attention of the has been drawn to the unnecessary and unfortunate reactions 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 statement read.

“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.

“The NWC 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.

“NWC also assures all members and indeed Nigerians that finances of the party have been handled in line with standard financial regulations governing political parties and the constitution of the PDP.

“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.”