PDP crisis deepens as NWC members return over N120m to party

At least four members of the National Working Committee of the main opposition party, the PDP, have paid more than 120 million naira into the party's account.

The amount reimbursed ranged from 28 million naira to 36 million naira per person. PDP leaders said the money was recently paid into their accounts and labeled "housing allowance" or "house rent".

In separate letters to PDP National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu, the four members said it became necessary to return the money after media backlash accused them of taking bribes .

A member of NWC has confirmed the letters to PREMIUM TIMES.

The NWC members who returned the money are National Vice President (South West) Olasoji Adagunodo, National Vice President (South) Taofeek Arapaja; National Vice President (South) Dan Orbih and National Women's Leader Stella Affah-Attoe.

While Mr. Arapaja got 36 million naira, MM. Adagunodo and Orbih and Ms. Effah-Attoe got N28.8 million each.

In letters seen by PREMIUM TIMES, members said the money caught their attention unnecessarily.

“Please note that said payment has become a matter of media history and carried with bad intention by them,” Mr. Adagunodo wrote in his letter to Mr. Ayu. “I hereby inform you of the repayment of … N28,800,000 to the People's Democratic Party, account number: 1000095003 at Globus Bank PLC. Receipt of payment on account is attached."

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Similarly, Ms Effah-Attoe in her letter, said when she inquired about the 28.8 million naira paid into her account, Mr Ayu's office told her the amount was for renting a house for two years as a member of the NWC.

She said that since the payment was made, she has been "inundated with numerous phone calls from party members, friends, family members and the general public, insinuating that said money was donated in the form of a bribe to bring her and other NWC members to the President's side - following the crisis between him on one side and Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike." /p>

The leader added that some national newspapers and social media platforms have also published articles accusing NWC members of being appeased by a N28.8 million bribe.

"This development has made me very uncomfortable. After finding myself in such an embarrassing situation, I hereby reimburse our great party's bank account at the national secretariat of the PDP," he said. -she writes.

For his part, Mr. Orbi said he was only informed of the payment by his bank without any description.

He referred to some reports accusing NWC members of taking bribes.

“To my astonishment and surprise, my bank has confirmed to me that the sum of 28.8 million naira has been credited to my account by the party,” he wrote. "I hereby notify you of my decision to return the money to the party's account.

"Please confirm receipt of checks from Zenith Bank Manager of: N10,000,000, N10,000,000, N8,800,000 TOTAL = N28,800,000 to Party's account. A/C: 1000095003, Globus Bank PLC."

Mr. Arapaja said the reports prompted him to "go through his various alerts and find out about a 36 million naira transfer from the party".

"I have my reservation regarding this money transferred to my account and for personal reasons I wish to return it accordingly."

The letters from members come about a week after Governor Nyesom Wike accused Mr. Ayu of bribing some NWC members.

This also comes days after the party chairman reportedly paid out over N100 million to NWC members after the party primaries.

The money is said to be part of the revenue - over $10 billion - made by the party from nomination fees paid by candidates.

The party had yet to react to the refunds at the time of this report.

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