Fresh crisis is brewing inside the opposition PDP as six members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) accused the national chairman Iyorchia Ayu of bribe.
However, the spokesperson of the party Debo Olugunagba has denied the allegations of any wrong doing in paying housing allowance to officials.
From the separate letters authored by the six NWC members who were all from the South, the officials reportedly returned to the coffers of the party, the “bribe” ranging from N28m to N36m.
The NWC members alleged that the money was given to them as two-year house rent.
They are Dan Orbih, National Vice Chairman South-South; Stella Effah- Attoe, National Women Leader; Taofeek Arapaja, Deputy National Chairman, South; Olasoji Adagunodo, National Vice Chairman South West.
Mr Orbih has confirmed to journalists that he signed his own letter, and the six of them had returned the money.
In its reaction, the PDP said in a statement that, “For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP states in an unequivocal term that no funds were paid into the account of any member of the NWC as bribe for any purpose whatsoever for that matter.
“To set the record straight, the housing allowance being referred to went through the due process of the party in line with the conditions of service and entitlement of the staff and principal officers of the party.
“If any individual, for any reason decides to return money duly approved and paid, such does not in any way suggest that the money was paid as bribe or indicate that it was illegitimate or unlawfully paid.”
This crisis is coming after the PDP seemed to have moved on despite Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike’s insistence for Mr Ayu’s resignation.
The PDP NEC, however, went ahead to pass a vote of confidence in Ayu, appointed and inaugurated presidential campaign council which further isolated Mr Wike and his group.
Mr Wike lost the PDP presidential primaries to Atiku. Abubakar and also failed to clinch the vice presidential ticket despite reported recommendations by some NWC members.
