The Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has approved a new salary structure for its elected officials, with a total monthly wage bill of N306,496,000, effective from May 31, 2025.

This was disclosed in a communiqué issued after a State Working Caretaker Committee meeting held on May 8 in Yenagoa, chaired by the party’s acting Chairman, George Turnah.

The new salary structure places party officials on the same earnings scale as appointees of the Bayelsa State Government.

“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 meagre monthly stipend of N5,000.00, and the Local Government Area Executives who earn a mere N20,000.00 as monthly allowances.

“Accordingly, the committee adopted and approved a harmonised salary structure for elected officials of the party at all levels, including Ward, Local Government Area, senatorial, and state levels, as well as ex-officio and non-working committee members at the state level,” the communique read partly.

Under the new salary structure, a PDP local government chairman will now earn N621,000.00 monthly, equivalent to a special adviser, while the vice chairman and secretary will earn N336,000, equals to the salary of a senior special assistant in the Bayelsa State Government.

According to the communique signed by acting State Publicity Secretary, Derri Alasuote Wright, the rest of the 15 LG party executive members will henceforth be earning N196,000, equivalent to a special assistant.

“These new figures are a significant increase compared to the current salaries, which include N50,000 paid to the LG party chairman, N45,000 to the vice chairman, N40,000 to the secretary, and N20,000 to the other 15 members of the LG party executive committee.

“At the ward level, the approved new salary for the party’s ward chairman is set at N336,000, the vice chairman and secretary will now earn N196,000 each, while the remaining 14 members of the ward executive will each earn N120,000 as equivalent to grassroot mobilisation appointees in the state Government.

“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 and will now earn the sum of N621,000 as monthly stipend, while members of the State Working Committee, placed at par with cabinet commissioners will now earn the sum of N1,048,500 as monthly allowances going forward,” said the communique.

The committee directed the Acting State Secretary to formally communicate the resolution to the state Governor, Douye Diri, who is the party leader in the state for necessary action.

“The cumulative wage bill for elected officials of the party in the state will come to the sum of N306,496,000.00 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.

“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, Sen. Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, for his attention and necessary action,” it added.