Imo PDP Clarifies: "We Do Not Owe One Year's Salary Arrears" *Cautions on False Reporting

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State, has described as false the rumor that the party owes its staff one year's worth of salary arrears, saying the report was vicious, offensive, inappropriate, and wholly false.

In a press statement, signed by the State Secretary of the party, Ray Emeana said that for the avoidance of doubt, "I will boldly announce as the State Secretary of the Party in Imo State that our Party has been consistent and prompt with paying staff salaries and that as of this month, October, not a single staff member is owed a cent in salary arrears.

"Since the inability to handle basic responsibilities also clearly implies a lack of readiness and the necessary war chest to wrest power from the shaky APC in the State, Imo PDP views the story as a deliberate attempt to cast doubt on the leadership of the Party in the State and give the impression that our Party is not strong and viable.

"Such insinuation tries to elevate the Imo PDP to the same level as the APC, which enjoys owing Imo's civil servants," he said.

Emeana added that given that all of the Imo PDP's institutions and organs are ready and motivated to defeat all opposition parties in 2023, such a myth does not accurately reflect the party's reality.

He stated that the fact that such fake news has a tendency to downplay and minimize the enormous efforts of leaders of the party, who had steadfastly worked to guarantee that all of the Party's financial obligations are satisfied, creates another concern for our Party.

"The work of former governor Emeka Ihedioha stands out in this regard. The work of the Finance Committee and the Party's elected officials is also deserving of praise.

"The false information gives the idea that the State Working Committee (SWC) has not handled these contributions in an open and accountable manner, which is why employee salaries have not been paid," he said.

According to him, while adamant that the fake news is a vicious attack on the SWC's integrity that is completely condemned, the Imo PDP also expresses displeasure that the source of such an anti-party story has been identified as a media aide to Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the Party's National Secretary. He signed and issued a press release to that effect.

"It is urgent to note that the National Secretary made it clear that his working visit to Imo State Executive Committee on Saturday, October 8, 2022, was part of his official duties to strengthen the Party by learning about the problems the Party's States Executive Committees were facing and coming up with solutions.

"The aforementioned remark caused the State Chairman, Engr. Charles Ugwuh, to remind the National Secretary that the Leaders are in charge of funding, including paying staff salaries, due to the PDP's status as an opposition party in the State. He then made a plea to the National Secretary to work with other Leaders to support and contribute to the Party, particularly financially.

"The National Secretary responded that he would advocate for Imo State PDP before the National Working Committee (NWC) and expressed confidence that, in collaboration with his colleagues, the NWC would help Imo State PDP with the payment of staff salaries for the upcoming year, relieving our leaders in the state of a significant financial burden. The National Secretary also promised to provide his fair share of contributions in this regard.

"Be aware that the National Secretary did not promise to pay back arrears of wages; rather, she promised to assist future salaries," Emeana stated.

He reiterates how appreciative the Imo PDP is to the National Secretary for such a thoughtful act, but blamed his media aides in their efforts to humiliate the party with fabricated and false stories.

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