Bayelsa PDP crisis: Zonal secretariat to pay allowances of Ogbia ward excos

The crisis in the Bayelsa state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has taken another twist following the decision of the zonal secretariat of the party to take over the payment of the allowances of the executives of Ogbia Ward 9.

The zonal secretary, George Turnah, in a statement, said the secretariat has also increased the allowance by 100% from the previous N40,000 and N8,000, paid to the chairman and other executive members, respectively.

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The Ogbia Ward 9 executives had been sanctioned by the State Working Committee (SWC) and their allowances were withheld after they refused to suspend Turnah, following his election as the zonal secretary of the party.

Turnah in a statement while denouncing the action of the Solomon Agwanana faction said effective from February 2025, the Zonal Secretariat has taken over the payment of monthly allowance for the Chairman and members of the Ogbia Ward 9 Executive Committee until the end of their term.

He noted that the Agwanana’s faction had inaugurated a rival leadership for Ogbia Ward 9 and had begun disbursing allowances to this unlawful and unconditional group it created while withholding payment of allowances from the legitimate Executive Committee of the Ward, assured PDP members in the state of genuine efforts to reposition the party.

The statement read in part: ‘’Due to this situation, the zonal secretariat is now responsible for the monthly allowances of the Bayelsa State Ogbia Ward 9 Executive Committee members, effective from February 2025 until the end of their term in office.

“Under the new payment structure, the Ward Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary will receive monthly allowances of N100,000, N70,000, and N50,000, respectively, while the other 14 members of the Committee will earn the sum of N30,000 each.

“Accordingly, allowances for the month of February 2025 under this new structure, which represents an increment of over 100%, have already been distributed to all members of the committee.

‘’While it is crucial to denounce the unlawful actions of the Agwanana’s faction, we assure party supporters in Bayelsa State of our unwavering commitment to reclaiming the party from unworthy elements and re-establishing it as a strong platform for serving the state’s greater interests. Joy is coming.’’