Admin l Friday, September 30, 2022
LAGOS, Nigeria – The National Working Committee, NWC of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has reacted as reports of bribery allegation rocks the party.
River State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike had in a widely televised media chat accused National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Iyiorcha Ayu of receiving N1 billion into his private account and that N9 billions have disappeared from account of the PDP.
While these allegations were flying in the air, four prominent members of the NWC returned a total of N122, 400,000 to the confers of PDP.
PDP National Women Leader, Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe returned N28,800,000, Deputy National Chairman, South, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, N36 million, Hon. Olasoji Adagunodu , National Vice Chairman, South West N28, 800,00, Chief Dan Osi Obih, National Vice Chairman, South/South N28, 800,000,
Reacting to the development, National Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Debo Ologunagba described the report as misleading and that the affected money were allowances. He said the report of bribery stemmed from an unfounded publication by a particular media outlet which suggested that the Housing Allowance, an entitlement duly approved and paid to national officials and staff of the Party amounted to bribery.
“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”, he said.
Ologunagba who described the money as allowance said 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.
“ A bribe is defined as “money or any other valuable consideration given or promised with a view to corrupting the behaviour of a person especially in that person’s performance as a public official…”. This is not the case in the payment of Housing Allowance duly approved for officials and staff of the Party.
“ The PDP therefore urges all members, teeming supporters and the general public to disregard the report and misleading insinuation which are clearly designed to malign the PDP, cause disaffection and distract our Party from our mission to Rescue, Rebuild and Redirect our nation from the misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC)”, he said.
