By Augustine Akhilomen

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denied claims that it asked members to contribute ₦10,000 to fund electoral and other party activities.

The denial was contained in a statement on Sunday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, who accused the platform of making such claims against the party of sensationalizing its report.

The PDP spokesperson explained that the party, while responding to a question on how it intends to fund its political activities in the wake of recent defections by some governors, mentioned voluntary contributions by members and never placed a levy on members.

It accused the platform which published the news of placing a ₦10,000 levy on members of intentionally sensationalizing its headline.

Ememobong clarified that while the PDP believes in voluntary contributions, as a legitimate and time-tested model of grassroots political funding, the reference to ₦10,000 was purely illustrative, intended to demonstrate the collective strength of voluntary support, and not a directive, levy, or mandatory contribution.

The full statement reads: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has noted with concern a report published by a media platform, The Observer Times, under the misleading headline: “PDP Calls on Members to Contribute N10,000 Each in Bid to Fund Party Activities.” The headline is as false as it is misleading, and does not reflect the substance of what was stated.

“Although the body of the report correctly quoted remarks made during the interview, the headline represents either clickbait or a subjective interpretation of the interview. Other credible media organisations reported the same interview accurately, without resorting to sensationalism.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the following is a verbatim excerpt of the response given to a question on how the PDP intends to fund its political activities in the wake of recent defections by some governors:

“The strategy is simple: go back to the people. When the 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. We are already seeing this kind of mass support in states like Plateau and Akwa Ibom.”

“The statement above clearly affirms the PDP’s belief in voluntary contributions, irrespective of amount, as a legitimate and time-tested model of grassroots political funding. The reference to N10,000 was purely illustrative, intended to demonstrate the collective strength of voluntary support, and not a directive, levy, or mandatory contribution.

“Let it be stated unequivocally: there is no fixed amount, no compulsory payment, and no obligation imposed on any member of the PDP.

“We therefore urge our members and the public to discountenance the misleading headline and continue to support the party at all levels in ways they consider appropriate and convenient.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on political actors and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully as the February 21, 2026, Rivers State House of Assembly bye-elections draw near.

The appeal was made by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Rivers State, Professor Gabriel Yomere, during a state-level stakeholders’ engagement convened by the Commission in Port Harcourt.

The forum brought together leaders of political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, youth groups, and members of the media.

The bye-elections are slated for Ahoada-East Constituency II and Khana Constituency II.

While the Ahoada-East II seat became vacant following the resignation of its former occupant, Edison Ehie, who was appointed Chief of Staff to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Khana II seat has remained vacant since the death of its lawmaker, Dinebari Loolo, in September 2023.

Addressing stakeholders, Professor Yomere explained that the engagement was designed to strengthen collaboration among critical actors and ensure a credible, transparent, and violence-free electoral process.

The REC disclosed that the two constituencies cut across a total of 14 wards, with 242 polling units and a registered voter population of 112,950.

He stressed the importance of peaceful participation to enable eligible voters to exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation.

Professor Yomere further emphasized the need to fill the vacant seats, noting that effective representation of the affected constituencies in the Rivers State House of Assembly is critical to inclusive governance and democratic stability.

He also used the opportunity to brief participants on preparations for the second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.

During the interactive session, stakeholders urged INEC to ensure a level playing field for all political parties and to guarantee the neutrality, professionalism, and integrity of ad-hoc electoral personnel.

Speaking on behalf of political parties, the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Rivers State, Nnanna Onyekwere, called for strict adherence to the rules of engagement by all contestants, while Convener of the Rivers Peace Initiative, Obinna Ebogidi, emphasised dialogue and restraint as key tools for preventing electoral violence.

On security arrangements, the Commissioner of Police in the state, represented by a Chief Superintendent of Police, James Njoku, assured INEC and other stakeholders of the Command’s readiness to provide adequate security before, during, and after the elections to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

The Pan Niger Delta Forum reconciliation committee set up to mediate in the Rivers State political crisis has met with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike and his successor, Siminalayi Fubara, the two actors in the rift.

PANDEF’s National Chairman and former Ambassador to Scandinavian countries, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway, Dr Godknows Igali, disclosed this in an interview with Sunday PUNCH.

The forum, which is an umbrella of socio-political organisation of the South-South geo-political zone, had recently set up a seven-man reconciliation committee headed by former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN to explore ways of ending the protracted political crisis in the oil-rich state.

Igali said the committee was made up of respectable Nigerians who are making headway and that both Wike and Fubara are cooperating with the members.

He expressed happiness that the willingness of the two political leaders to make themselves available and give a listening ear to the committee pointed to the fact that they also want peace.

He said aside from Wike and the governor, the committee was also interfacing with other critical stakeholders, including traditional rulers supporting either side, adding that progress was being made and there was no cause for alarm.

“The committee is on the ground as we speak now in Port Harcourt, holding meetings with critical stakeholders. They have met with Wike and the governor. They had an exhaustive meeting with the governor. They have met with elders from the two sides.

“There is a lot of progress taking place. So, there should be no fear. If Wike and the governor were not ready to cooperate, they would not meet with them (committee). That they could accept to meet with them means that they too want a solution,” Igali said.

He allayed the fear of the people on Fubara’s impeachment plot, saying, the crisis would be managed.

Accoring to him, a crisis in Rivers State will affect the entire country.

“We are from a region that has very credible elders. Let the elders intervene and see what they could do. And I can assure you that so far, all parties are cooperating with them.

“So, the committee is very busy meeting people. They may not meet the whole assembly but they meet two or three of their leaders.

“The whole country is disturbed and because the people concerned are people with reputation and integrity and our organisation, PANDEF itself is a regional leading body, so everybody is satisfied with what is happening.”

Meanwhile, the Ijaw National Congress has faulted the decision of the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly to continue with the impeachment proceedings against Fubara and his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, despite several interventions from respected groups within and outside the state.


The INC President, Prof Benjamin Okaba, in an interview with our correspondent on Saturday, said it was a shame that the lawmakers don’t seem to know the law, describing the impeachment move as an exercise in futility.

The INC leader described the impeachment move as “a clear case of vendetta”, saying it would end up as an exercise in futility.

“It is not about the growth of democracy and development in Rivers State or Nigeria. It’s about advancing personal interest above the interest of the state. It is all about what they want, what the actors want and not what is good for the state,” Okaba said.