The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has accused the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Iyorcha Ayu, of taking a N1 billion bribe before the presidential primaries of the party.
Wike said it was for this reason Ayu became partisan, allegedly making calls to other aspirants before the primaries.
He alleged that the former President of the Senate called other aspirants to step down for the eventual winner, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Wike made the allegations in a live interview on Friday, which was broadcast by some national television stations.
Those who interviewed the Governor were the Director of Programmes of Continental Television, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju; Gbenga Aruleba of African Independent Television; Director of News, Nigerian Television Authority, Amanda Igbuzor; and Seun Okinbaloye of Channels Television.
Wike, who said he was prepared to give evidence of when and how Ayu allegedly collected the N1 billion in Lagos, said: “Ayu is corrupt.
“Quote me.
“I am a lawyer and I am the governor of Rivers State.
“Ayu collected N1 billion in Lagos.
“He told one of the PDP presidential aspirants before the primary that the governors were not ready to fund the party.
“I know how the money was arranged and those involved in packaging the money.
“He collected the N1 billion.
“Let him come out to tell Nigerians it is not true and I will reveal more.”
Wike said among aspirants Ayu allegedly reach out to and asked to withdraw for Abubakar were the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed: Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; and former President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.