UPDATE: 4 PDP NWC Members Return N122.4m Allegedly Paid Into Their Bank Accounts

Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting

FOUR members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have allegedly returned N122.4 million paid into their various accounts by the leadership of the party.

The four party officers are the Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja; National Vice Chairman (South), Chief Dan Orbih, National Women Leader, Prof. Stella Affah-Attoe and the National Vice Chairman South-West, Hon Olasoji Adagunodo.

In separate letters addressed to the PDP National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, Arapaja said he got N36 million of the said money transferred into his bank account.

Each of the beneficiaries explained the importance of the credited monies in their letters duly signed by them but which got to the hands of the public.

Dan Orbih, Effah-Attoe and Adagunodo said they were wired N28.8 million each.

It could not be ascertained as of press time if the monies were proceeds from the sales of nomination forms prior to the PDP primaries in May, 2022.

Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, DNC South, wrote this: “RETURN OF THIRTY-SIX MILLION NAIRA (N36,000,000.00) HOUSING ALLOWANCE PAID INTO MY 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 Naira (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.

“Kindly confirm the receipt of UBA Electronic Transfer of the Thirty-Six Million Naira (N36,000,000.00) attached herewith.

Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe, PDP National Woman Leader, wrote thus: “REFUND FUNDS INTO THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (POP) BANK ACCOUNT

“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, HE Governor Nyesom Wika Wike’s Group on the other side

“If 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 enquired from your Office, was told that the said sum in for Two (2) years House Rent for me, as a member of The National Working Committee ARTY

“In addition, some National Newspapers/Social Media Platforms have also camed stones accusing the NWC 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. am hereby refunding to the Bank Account of our Great Party at the PDP National Secretariat Globus Bank, Account number: 1000005003, the sum of Twenty Eight Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Naira (N28,800,000.00) Only, earlier paid into my Bank Account At an appropriate time, when things normalize, whatever is due to me as my House Rent could be paid to me.”

Chief Dan Osi Orbih, National Vice Chairman, South/South, also wrote: “Dear Dr. Iyorchia 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. (Twenty eight million eight hundred thousand Naira) has been credited to my account by the party. 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: N8, 800,000 TOTAL =N28, 800,000 to the Party’s account. A/C: 1000095003, Globus Bank PLC.”

On his part, Hon Olasoji Adagunodo, the National Vice Chairman Southwest Peoples Democratic Party, wrote scantily saying:

“CREDIT OF # 28,800,000:00 (TWENTY EIGHT MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSANDS NAIRA) INTO MY ACCOUNT NUMBER 3098567123 BY THE PARTY.

“The above subject matter refers

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.”

Stonix News reports that the four letters addressed to Dr Ayu relinquishing the said monies were dated September 29, 2022.

No response has emerged from the PDP secretariat or the national chairman, Dr Ayu.