The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has worsened as members of the National Working Committee have all returned millions of naira to the party after suddenly discovering it in their bank accounts.
This is coming after an article by The Nation, which alleged that the NWC members had been bribed to stop them from moving against the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.
Those who refunded the money included the National Deputy Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; the National Vice Chairman (South-South), Chief Dan Orbih; PDP National Woman Leader, Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe and the National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Honourable Olasoji Adagunodo.
All four of them wrote separate letters addressed to the National Chairman dated 29th September 2022, confirming that they had returned the money which motive they said they did not know.
In returning the sum of N36 million paid to him, Arapaja wrote:
“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 silence us over an allegation of financial misappropriation to the tune of N15 billion.
“This led me to browse through my various alerts and I discovered a transfer of N36 million from the party.
“I have my reservation about this money transferred into my account and for personal reasons, wish to return it accordingly.
“Kindly confirm the receipt of UBA Electronic Transfer of the N36 million attached herewith.”Orbih, whose bank account was credited with the sum of N28 million, wrote: “Dear Dr. lyorchia Ayu, my attention has been drawn to a damaging trending story reported in The Nation Newspaper by Yusuf Alli on September 26, 2022 titled “Disquiet in PDP NWC over N10 billion nomination fees.”
“Amongst several other allegations, he alleged that members of the NWC were offered N28 million to gloss over scandalous financial misappropriation.
“To my shock and surprise, it has been confirmed to me by my bank that the sum of N28,800,000. has been credited to my account by the party.
“I hereby notify you of my decision to pay back the money to the party’s account.
“Kindly confirm receipt of Zenith Bank Manager’s cheques of: N10,000,000, N10,000,000, N8,800,000, Total N28,800,000 to the party’s account. A/C: 1000095003, Globus Bank PLC.”
Recall that the Governor of rivers state Nyesom Wike had alleged the national chairman was impartial during the presidential primaries and had worked against his emergence as flag-bearer.
Governor Wike and his group have since been calling for the sacking of the chairman and have withdrawn from the campaign of the presidential candidate.
See letters below
