Wike Returns to Nigeria, Makes Fresh Bribery Allegations against PDP Chairman Ayu, Tackles BoT
- The internal crisis in the opposition PDP is far from over, following a fresh statement released by Governor Wike
- Wike, who had just returned to Nigeria from Spain, insisted on the allegations of financial misappropriation levelled against the PDP national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu
- The Rivers state governor also kicked against the BoT resolution asking Ayu to commit to resigning after the 2023 elections
PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Legit.ng News on your Facebook News Feed!
Ikwerre LGA, Rivers state - Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has insisted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, did not inform the party's governors and the National Working Committee (NWC) about the N1.1 billion he allegedly received.
The Rivers state governor spoke on Monday, October 17, at the international wing of the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, in Ikwerre local government area, shortly upon arrival from Spain.
Source: Facebook
He was accompanied by his political allies, Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo state), Dr Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia state) and Samuel Ortom (Benue state).
Bribery allegations: Ayu stands indicted, Wike insists
Speaking further, Governor Wike took a swipe at the PDP national chairman, saying going by his responses to the allegations levelled against him, he stands indicted except proven otherwise.
PAY ATTENTION: Subscribe to Digital Talk newsletter to receive must-know business stories and succeed BIG!
His words:
"Luckily for me, he (Ayu) has now mentioned that he went to the presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Waziri of Adamawa where they discussed on the issues of borrowing.
"Now, the question is, when you talk about borrowing, who approves borrowing? You must go to the National Working Committee (NWC) to say you want to borrow money.
"I challenge him to bring the records where NWC approved that the party should go and borrow N1billion. What is the collateral?"
Ayu opted to collect loan on behalf of PDP without notifying NWC, governors - Wike
Governor Wike explained that in matters of funding the party, the governors had been up to that responsibility dutifully.
He said it was, "therefore, unthinkable that the national chairman would, in the guise of seeking funding for the party, opt to collect loan on behalf of the party without notifying the NWC and governors.
"Be sincere, how can you talk of N1 billion loan without the NWC mooting the idea, without the governors knowing. Then you talk about the N100million (One Hundred Million Naira) he said he told the Board of Trustees (BOT).
"If any governor gives you One Hundred Million Naira in order to rebuild one of the structures of the party, the Democratic Institute, let him show the minutes of the NWC where he said a governor has contributed N100million. Let him show the account to reflect this N100million.
“Let him also say that the N100m was in Naira or in Dollars. He said he gave it to the treasurer. I thought he would have told the world that NWC was aware," Governor Wike added.
My allegations against Ayu were categorical, says Wike
Governor Wike added that his allegations against the PDP national chairman were categorical, adding that it was expected that his responses should address each of the issues separately.
He continued:
"In fact, the normal thing is that when once any governor or any party person has donated money to the party, you will go and tell NWC that so and so person has donated money. Let him (Ayu) show us the account where this money was paid into.
"Coming out to do a general denial is not denial. You (Ayu) must deny specifically to the allegations that were made."
Mention names of contractors for the rehabilitation works, Wike tells Ayu
The Rivers state governor also asked Ayu to mention the names of those he has contacted to handle the rehabilitation works going on at the PDP Democratic Institute and at the National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone in Abuja.
"Ask him, the contracts that are going on in this Democratic Institute and that of Wadata, who is doing that contract, is it not one of his sons?
"As a party, we believe that Nigerians must trust us. We must show leadership and part of that leadership is integrity. You don't just come and deceive Nigerians that you did not collect one billion naira.
"So, let Ayu come out and tell us, tell the PDP people and tell the public that this matter was discussed in NWC," he said.
2023 elections: Wike disagrees with PDP BoT
Meanwhile, Governor Wike also described as out of order the PDP Board of Trustees resolution that mandated Ayu to make a commitment that he would resign after the 2023 elections.
He wondered why the BOT could not make Ayu fulfil his initial commitment that he would resign if a northerner emerged as presidential candidate from the PDP convention.
“To say he should make another commitment that he will resign after the elections, for me, BOT resolution is ridiculous," he said.
PDP crisis: Reactions trail Wike's statement
Tijjani Abdullahi Kila said on Facebook:
"Ayu will not resign, if you like leave the party."
Reuben Daikwo said:
"Leave us alone nau Wike, if you want to leave, leave!!! Stop this unnecessary distraction against a party that supported you for 8years, Remember what you went through in the hands of Ameachi and Oshiomole, please go peacefully if you want to leave the PDP...biko."
Fidelis Onyah said:
"ATiku Okowa Presidency is a done deal. The moving train has left Wike. If he is still interested, the train can stop by to pick him up. him and his group."
Tochukwu Bright Nicholas said:
"PDP has internal Unresolved Issues, it's very hard for them to win these election, Obi is there Already."
Madaki Zuti Yasman said:
"Atiku didn't offend anybody that he will apologize to. We sincerely don't care about your ranting."
PDP Crisis: Ayu speaks on Wike's N1bn, N100m bribe allegations
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Ayu denied allegations of bribery levelled against him by Governor Wike.
At the PDP's national secretariat in Abuja on Friday, October 14, the PDP national chairman noted that Wike's allegations are not true.
He explained that the said N1 billion was a proposed bank loan that the party initially intended to take from a commercial bank but later dropped the proposal after due consultations.
Source: Legit.ng
