There was tension in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital has workers at the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat, yesterday held the state party chairman, Chief Yunana K. Iliya and other members of the state working committee hostage for several hours following their inability to pay their salaries and other entitlements for several months.

When our Correspondent visited the Secretariat located along Jos road in Lafia, one of the aggrieved workers who gave his name as Adamu, said the decision was taken to press home their demand for the payment of their 3 months salaries.

According to him, the workers were pushed to the wall, hence they had no option than to react violently with a view to fighting for their right.

Adamu said despite, the revenue generated by the party in the build up to the general elections, the party leadership made no effort to pay them their entitlements.

“None of them will move out of this secretariat  until the settle us our three months entitlements” he said.

Those also held hostage includes, PDP member House of Assembly, Hon.Muhammad Okpede representing Doma North,  Hon. Peter Mbucho representing Akwanga North and Hon.Muhammed Muluku representing Nasarawa Eggon East,  it took the intervention of the police to rescue the situation after persuading the angry workers to release their hostages for negotiation.

ViewpointNigeria, observed  that after the intervention of the security personnels, the chairman, other executive members of the party  and some stakeholders of the party held a close door meeting with the protesting workers.

When contacted the state chairman denied knowledge of any protest by the office workers insisting that nobody was on the payroll of the party.

According to him those making noise are mere party supporters who normally hang in the Secretariat to solicit for assistance.

“This party office whereby party supporters come around and we do help them with money”, he said.

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Nasarawa State: Party Workers Held PDP Chairman, Others Hostage Over Salaries. By Emmanuel John, Lafia