Erstwhile ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, may have started grappling with the challenges caused by the fortune it lost in the last elections barely two months after, as the party announced its decision yesterday to cut staff strength by 50per cent.

The main opposition party has also disclosed that it would reduce the salaries and allowances of its staff by 50%, even as the allowances of members of the National Working Committee, NWC would be scaled down by 50%.

Disclosing this in a letter signed by the PDP National Secretary, Professor Wale Oladipo, and addressed to all directors and administrative staff of the party, it also noted that the leadership of the Party would equally reduce the number of its security by 50%.

The Secretary, who noted in the letter dated 29 July, 2015 with reference number PS/DD/AD/HOD/SAs/PAS, that the decisions were reached at the 406th meeting of the NWC yesterday, stressed that the party’s Research Directorate has also been abolished and functions of the Directorate transferred to the Peoples Democratic Institute.

The copy of the memo, entitled “Reorganization and Restructuring of Staff at the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party”, reads in full:

“The NWC, at its 406th meeting held on 29th July, 2015, considered the Report on the reorganization and restructuring of staff at the National Secretariat and approved the following: i. Reduction of the allowances of all NWC members by 50%.

ii. Reduction of the number of personal staff of the NWC members by 50%

iii. Reduction in the number of security personnel attached to the National Officers by 50%

iv. The reduction of the salaries and allowances of all staff (Establishment and Staff of NWC members) by 50% effective August, 2015.

v. Abolition of the Research Directorate and transfer of its functions to the Peoples Democratic Institute.

“Furthermore, Establishment staff who would remain are required to obtain individual letter of revalidation from their State Party Chapter within one month of this circular as to their suitability for service at the National Secretariat.”