Bribery allegation: Peoples Democratic Party National Working Committee members hurriedly refund over N120million to party

The crisis within Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has festered into another dimension as some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) hurriedly refunded the sum of N120million paid to their account under the guise of housing allowance and house rent

Penpushing reports that, it is recalled that, the said money transferred to the individual accounts was alleged to be a bribe, which attracted condemnation from the general public and backlash from the media

The affected leaders of the party who were beneficiaries of the controversial money in a letter written to the National Chairman of the party,  Iyorchia Ayu, explained that, it became necessary to return the money after outcry from the public.

Penpushing further reports that, those who hurriedly returned the money which ranged from N28 million to N36 million per person, to the account of the party include National Vice Chairman (South-West) Olasoji Adagunodo, the Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja; the National Vice Chairman (South), Dan Orbih and the National Women Leader, Stella Affah-Attoe.

The shocking  revelation  showed that the Deputy National Chairman(South)  got N36 million, Messrs Adagunodo and Orbih and Ms Effah-Attoe got N28.8 million each, and Arapaja in his letter of refund said the news reports prompted him to browse through his various alerts and discovered a transfer of N36 million from the party.

“I have my reservation about this money transferred into my account and for personal reasons wish to return it accordingly”, the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wrote

Penpushing also reports that, Adagunodo on his own part lamented that the payment has become a subject of media story, which he considered as embarrassing, hence, his resolved to immediately refund the money.

“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…N28, 800,000 back to the Peoples Democratic Party, Account Number: 1000095003 at Globus Bank PLC. The receipt of the payment back to the account is attached.”

Penpushing reports that, in his refund letter Ms Effah-Attoe, explained that, when she inquired about the N28.8 million paid to her account, she was told by office of the party chairman that the amount was for house rent for two years as member of National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

The women leader of the opposition party regretted that since the payment was made she has 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 her and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) members on the side of the chairman, following the crisis between him on one side and the Governor Nyesom Wike of River state

Penpushing further reports that, Effah-Attoe   added that some national newspapers and social media platforms have also carried stories accusing the National Working Committee (NWC) members of being placated with bribe of N28.8 million.

“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,” she wrote.

Penpushing also reports that, Orbi on his part said that he was only notified of the payment by his bank without any description, faulting claims and some reports that accused National Working Committee (NWC) members of taking bribe.

“To my shock and surprise, it has been confirmed to me by my bank that the sum of N28.8 million has been credited to my account by the party,” he wrote. “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.”

Penpushing reports that, as at the time of filing this report, the leadership of the troubled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was yet to react to the refunds, as source said the money was said to be part of the proceeds of over 10 billion realised by the party from nomination fees paid by aspirants.

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