PDP Crisis: Why we wont obey Sheriff’s directives to resume work – Party Secretariat workers

Staff members of the Peoples Democratic Party, National Secretariat, have explained why they would not resume work as directed by the party’s National Chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff.

The Director of Administration in the secretariat, Gurama Bawa, disclosed that staff could be exposed to “harassment and intimidation” by protesters as was the case in recent times.

PDP’s secretariat has been locked up since the leadership crisis rocking the party became intense last year.

Following the Appeal Court ruling affirming Sheriff as the national Chairman of the party, the former Borno State Governor ordered the reopening of the complex but workers have refused to resume.

Speaking in Abuja yesterday, Bawa said,”Members of staff are desirous of resuming work after having been made victim of problems they never caused but are concerned about their safety.

“Following the judgment validating the National Convention by FHC in Port Harcourt, members of staff were requested to resume duty in May/June, 2016. They did so. In the few days we reported for work, we were harassed and intimidated by demonstrators and protesters.

“We were violently chased out of the offices; many had to run away leaving their personal belongings which we understand have now been vandalized by unknown persons.

“With the recent appeal to the Supreme Court by the Makarfi leadership, the Board of Trustees has written a strong protest letter to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) against the re-opening of the secretariat to avoid breakdown of law and order, a situation which again highlights the danger that staff will be exposed to if they resume duty as directed,” he said.