Bayelsa PDP Caretaker Committee Approves Increased Pay for Elected Party Officials With Immediate
Communiqué issued at the end of the meeting of the State Working Caretaker Committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Bayelsa State, held today, Thursday, 8th May 2025 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State
The Bayelsa State Working Caretaker Committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) convened today, 8th May 2025, under the leadership of George Turnah, MON, Chairman of the Caretaker Committee. The meeting focused on various pressing issues facing the Party in the State. After extensive discussions, the Committee reached the following resolutions:
1. Approval of Harmonized Salary Structure for Elected Officials: The Committee received the report from the ad hoc committee tasked with reviewing the existing salary structure for elected Party officials at all levels within the State. During discussions, the Committee expressed deep concern regarding the inadequate welfare and challenging working conditions experienced by its elected officials, particularly the Ward Executives who receive a meager monthly stipend of 5,000.00, and the Local Government Area Executives who earn a mere 20,000.00 as monthly allowances. This situation is deemed unacceptable, especially under a leadership that prioritizes the welfare and wellbeing of elected Party officials.
Accordingly, the Committee adopted and approved a harmonized salary structure for elected officials of the Party at all levels, including Ward, Local Government Area (LGA), Senatorial, and State levels, as well as Ex-officios and Non-working Committee members at the State level. Under the new structure, the Party Chairman at the Local Government Area level will now earn 621,000.00 monthly, equivalent to a Special Adviser in the appointment of the State Government. The LGA Vice Chairman and Secretary will earn 336,000, aligning them with the salary of a Senior Special Assistant in the Bayelsa State Government, while the rest of the fifteen LGA Party Executive members will now earn 196,000, equivalent to a Special Assistant in the Bayelsa State Government.
These new figures are a significant increase compared to the current salaries, which include 500,000 paid to the LGA Party Chairman, 45,000 to the Vice Chairman, 40,000 to the Secretary, and 20,000 to the other fifteen members of the LGA Party Executive Committee.
At the Ward level, the approved new salary for the Party’s Ward Chairman is set at 336,000, equivalent to a Senior Special Assistant in the Bayelsa State Government. The Ward Vice Chairman and Secretary will now earn 196,000 each, equivalent to a Special Assistant in the Government of Bayelsa State, while the remaining fourteen members of the Ward Executive will each earn 120,000 as equivalent to Grassroot Mobilization appointees in the Bayelsa State Government. These increments represent a significant improvement from the 45,000.00 currently paid to a Ward Chairman and 5,000 each paid to the other fourteen members of the Ward Executive.
Similarly, elected Party officials at the Senatorial District levels and Non-working Committee members of the Party at the State level are classified as Special Advisers equivalent in the Bayelsa State Government and will now earn the sum of 621,000 as monthly stipend, while members of the State Working Committee, placed at par with Cabinet Commissioners of the Bayelsa State Government, will now earn the sum of 1,048,500 as monthly allowances going forward. These adjustments, as contained in the now approved harmonized salary structure for elected officials of the PDP in Bayelsa State, take immediate effect with the implementation date from 31st May 2025.
The State Working Caretaker Committee has directed the Acting State Secretary to immediately communicate this resolution and the approved new salary structure to the leader of the Party in the State, His Excellency, Sen. Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, for his attention and necessary action. It is the hope of the State Working Caretaker Committee that upon full implementation, the gains of the new wage earnings will signify the Party’s commitment to the welfare of its officials.
The cumulative wage bill for elected officials of the Party in the State will come to the sum of 306,496,000.00 monthly. For a Party in power in the State, this figure is not only reasonable but affordable as it will help in enhancing the capacity and performance of elected Party officials of the Party in the State, as well as improving their welfare and wellbeing while in active service to the Party, the Government, and the people of Bayelsa State.
2. VOTE OF CONFIDENCE: The State Working Caretaker Committee also reviewed developments in the Party across the Federation and particularly the South South Zone and on behalf of the PDP family in Bayelsa State, votes of confidence were passed on the National Vice Chairman of the South South Zone, Chief Dan Osi Orbih, and the National Secretary of the Party, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu. The Party in Bayelsa State fully identifies with these two key leaders and wishes to commend their commitment and efforts in repositioning and refocusing the Party.
Signed:
Derri Alasuote Wright
Acting State Publicity Secretary, Caretaker Committee, People’s Democratic Party, Bayelsa State
