PDP Crisis Worsen As NWC Members Return N93.6m

The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)has taken a new twist as four members of the National Working Committee (NWC) returned various amounts of money ostensibly paid into their bank accounts to bribe them from moving against the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.

There had been media reports that Ayu, allegedly paid over N100m to the NWC members after the party’s primaries.

The money was said to be part of the over N10 billion realised by the party from nomination fees paid by aspirants.

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.

While Arapaja got N36 million, Orbih and Effah-Attoe got N28.8 million each.

But in a letter to the PDP leadership notifying Ayu of returning the money, Orbi claimed that he was only notified of the payment by his bank without any description.

“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 NW 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. (Twenty eight million eight hundred thousand Naira) 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.”

Also, Adagunodo in his letter to Ayu wrote, “Please be informed that the said payment has become a subject of media story and carried with bad intention by them.

“I hereby inform you of the refund of the Sum of Twenty Eight Million Eight Hundred Thousand Naira (#28,800,000:00) back to the Peoples Democratic Party, Account Number: 1000095003 at Globus Bank PLC. The receipt of the payment back to the account is attached.”

Effah-Attoe in her letter claimed that when she inquired about the N28,800,000,00 paid to her account, she was told by Ayu’s office that the amount was for house rent for two years as NWC members.

The letter read, “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.

“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.”

On his part, Arapaja wrote, “I observed a malicious story reported in the Nations Newspaper of 26t
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.”