Three members of the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party have returned to the coffers of the party what was termed “house rents” paid into their account by the National Chairman, Senator Iyorcha Ayu.
This development came to the fore on Thursday via letters written to Ayu and drafts for the money to the party.
Those who returned the money were the Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja; National Vice Chairman (South), Chief Dan Orbih; and National Woman Leader, Prof. Stella Affah-Attoe.
The total amount involved in the gifts Ayu gave to the party chieftains was N93.6 million.
While Arapaja got N36 million, Orbih and Effah-Attoe received N28.8 million each.
The three party chieftains attached letters to the cheques for the money they refunded.
In his own letter, Orji claimed that he was only notified of the payment by his bank without any description.
The letter said: “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.”
Effah-Attoe who said she was told by the Office of Ayu that the N28.8 million was for house rent for two years as NWC members, wrote: “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.
“Since after the lodgement 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, H.E Governor Nyesom Wike/Wike’s Group on the other side.
“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.”
Arapaja wrote: “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 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.”
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