Victor EzejaThe crisis rocking the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new turn with six members of the National Working Committee (NWC), on Thursday, September 29, returning various sums of money paid into their bank accounts from the party’s account.
It was alleged that the monies ranging from N36 million to N28.8 million depending on the position of the intended recipients, was paid to them at the instance of the national party chairman, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu.
It was gathered that the money was said to be part of the N10 billion proceeds realised by the party during sales of nomination forms to aspirants during primaries.
Separate letters purportedly written by four NWC members addressed to the party, indicated rejection and refund of money secretly sent to their bank accounts by the party which they considered as bribe and we’re paid to them without their knowledge.
The NWC members who returned the money are the National Vice Chairman (South-West) Olasoji Adagunodo, the Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja; National Vice Chairman (South), Chief Dan Orbih and National Women Leader, Prof. Stella Affah-Attoe.
According to the letters sighted, Arapaja was offered N36 million while Affah-Attoe, Adagunodo and Orbih were offered N28.8 million each.
In a letter addressed to the PDP national chairman, Arapaja notified Ayu of a transfer of N36 million back to the PDP account.
“I observed a malicious story reported in the Nations Newspaper of 26th September 2022; where it was alleged that members of the National Working Committee were offered humongous amount of money to silent us over an allegation of financial misappropriation to the tune of Fifteen Billion Nara (N15,000,000,000.00).
“This led me to browse through my various alerts, and I discovered a transfer of Thirty-Six Million Naira (N36,000,000.00) from the Party.
“I have my reservation about this money transferred into my account and for personal reasons wish to return it accordingly,” Arapaja wrote.
Effah-Attoe on part claimed that she was told that the N28,800,000,00 paid to her account was for house rent for two years as NWC members.
“You may recall, the sum of Twenty Eight Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Naira (N28,800,000.00) Only was paid into my UBA Account Number 2053101024 on the 14 of september, 2022.
“When I enquired from your Office, I was told that the said sum is for Two
(2) years House Rent for me, as a member of The National Working Committee,” the letter read.
“Since after the lodgment of the money into my Bank Account, I have been inundated with many phone calls from Party members, friends, family members and the general public, insinuating that the said money has been given as a Bribe to bring me and other NWC members on the side of The National Chairman, following the crisis between him on one side and the Governor of Rivers State, H.E Governor Nyesom Wike/ Wike’s Group on the other side.
“In addition, some National Newspapers/Social Media Platforms have also carried stories accusing the NC members of being placated with Bribe of N28,800,000.00.
“This development has made me very uncomfortable. Having found myself in such an embarrassing situation, I am hereby refunding to the Bank Account of our Great Party at the PDP National Secretariat,” part of the letter read.
Some reports alleged that bribery allegations might not be unconnected with the raging crisis that has created two camps on one side the national chairman, Ayu who insists on retaining the position, and on the other side, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike who has been agitating for the exit of Ayu.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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