Jonathan’s N1.2 billion campaign money divides Edo PDP, youth seal secretariat

by Anike Jacobs

PM News is reporting that the Edo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is currently embroiled in fresh crisis over alleged non-disbursement of mobilisation funds provided for the hosting of last Wednesday’s presidential campaign rally in Benin, by Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation.

Hundreds of angry youth reportedly  sealed the state secretariat of the party on Friday, alleging that they were shortchanged by the organising committee.

The youth numbering over 250 ‎under the auspices of Grassroots Youth Initiative (GYI), carried placards bearing inscriptions such as “PDP pay us our money; Our youth must grow.”

They stormed the party’s secretariat located along Sapele Road in Benin City and sealed it over the non-payment of their appearance fee at the Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium-venue, out of the campaign rally out of the N1.2 billion allegedly provided for the rally.

The protest virtually locked up the ever busy Sapele road for several hours as the youths said it is either their money or nothing else after they allegedly refused the N20,000 said to have been offered to them on the night of Thursday.

They specifically accused Edo State Director General of President Jonathan Campaign Organization, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who recently defected to the PDP from APC, of being responsible for keeping the money meant for them.

National President of GYI, Osarobo Idahosa, who spoke for the protesting youth, said he was part of the campaign planning committee in the state but was surprised that only N20,000 was given to him to pay thousands of youth mobilized to the rally.

He alleged that he personally mobilised youths to the stadium but was yet to be paid any money.

One of the leaders of PDP in the state who asked not to be named, however alleged that the protest was sponsored by a former governorship candidate of the party and founder of Goodluck to Goodluck Organisation, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere.

‎”The money was shared to all the leaders. Ize-Iyamu is not concerned about this money. This protest is because of one person within the party. Airhiavbere, paid and sponsored this protest.”

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