Indications have emerged that the national chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen Ali Modu Sheriff, has penetrated the ranks of the party’s staff and has wooed over some of them to resume work at the national headquarters of the party.
Sources within the party further told LEADERSHIP Sunday that some directors of the party and staff are being used to woo others over to work with Sheriff.
Recall that last week, the 127 members of PDP staff had declared their resolve not to resume at Wadata plaza on grounds that their safety cannot be guaranteed. Sheriff had however warned that their failure to immediately resume work would attract sanctions.
The workers and staff have repeatedly pledged loyalty to the Sen Ahmed Makarfi-led PDP.
However a party source alleged that Sheriff has paid some management staff to polarize other members of staff to go back to party secretariat.
We appealed to them in our NWC meeting of 1st March and they replied through a well publicized press conference that they will not return to work untill the judgement delivered by the Court of Appeal in PH is overturned by the apex court. I hope they will keep to their words.
The PDP Establishment Manual is unambiguous on staff matters and the conditions of service. Engagement or otherwise of Staff is the responsibility of the National Secretary and not the Chairman. I wish them well in their future endeavours.
The source further alleged that “Some management staff have been bought over by Sheriff to create division among staff members. Staff have remained united on the side of Makarfi but a few from management staff we were informed have been talking to staff and luring them to report to wadata in order to divide staff.
“But the staff welfare Committee have resolved that they will galvanise staff and make ensure that staff remain with the decision of all the organs of the party which is to stay with Senator Ahmed Makarfi led National Caretaker Committee.”
However the acting national publicity secretary of the PDP, Bernard Mikko, while reacting said “We appealed to them in our NWC meeting of 1st March and they replied through a well publicized press conference that they will not return to work until the judgement delivered by the Court of Appeal in PH is overturned by the apex court. I hope they will keep to their words.