PDP Chairman, Ayu Admits Receiving N100M, Denies Other N1B Allegation

Category:  Nigeria News

Iyorchia Ayu, the National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has reacted to allegations of fraud leveled against him by one of the governors of the party, Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.

Wike, who has been at the vanguard of the calls that Ayu should vacate office of the PDP National Chairman had during a media chat some weeks ago accused him of collecting N1 billion from some businessman in Lagos ahead of the presidential primary of the party.

The Rivers State had in another media chat on Friday accused the PDP chairman of collecting N100 million twice for the renovation of the office for Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI), an outfit of the PDP.

Wike claimed Ayu collected the first N100m from a PDP Governor he failed to name and another N100 million from the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) for the same purpose.

The Rivers State Governor threatened to reveal the names of the governors who gave the funds to Ayu if he denied taking the funds.

But speaking after the meeting of Board of Trustees of the party on Friday few hours after Wike made the allegations, Ayu denied collecting N1 billion from anybody.

He also said he only received a N100 million for the purpose of renovation of the PDP Institute and the fund is yet to be exhausted for the exercise.

Ayu also denied collecting another N100 million from the NWC for the same purpose.

“When the first allegation was made I decided not to respond, however I wish to make it clear that at no time did I as a national chairman collect 1 billion from any body.

“Despite financial difficulties in the party, I didn’t collect one naira from anybody. I promise to present the party’s account at the end of the year.

On today’s accusations

“Luckily I had briefed the BoT that one of our Governors donated 100 million for the renovation of the PDI.

“I am happy to state that the National Secretary has written to the Governor asking for his presence for inspection. In fact we have not even finished the 100 million

“As the father of the party I appeal to those against me to desist from trying to malign my character or dragging my family into it.

“In the next few weeks I will call all party members to come forward for the Commissioning of the PDI”