Sequel to the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held a few days ago, the senator representing Benue South, Abba Moro, has dispelled reports that members of the upper chamber elected on the party’s platform collected millions of dollars allegedly shared by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.
Senator Moro remarked that he had spoken to colleagues who said they did not get the $2 million reportedly given to lawmakers by the FCT minister, underpinning that a group of PDP lawmakers had frowned at the $2 million bribe allegedly given to the party’s National Executive Committee and the House of Representatives members by the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike.
The group in a statement said the alleged inducement was meant to pass a vote of confidence on the acting National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagum.
The lawmakers alongside stakeholders have been clamouring for reform of the party including the resignation of the acting chairman to enable the North Central region assume the position zoned to them, as they also demanded disciplinary actions against those fighting the party.
The statement also alleged that “Wike sharing $30k each to NEC members to keep current PDP executives for Tinubu ahead of 2027.
Nyesom Wike is sharing $30k each to members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to pass a vote of confidence on the current leadership of the party headed by Umar Damagum as Chairman and Sam Anyanwu as Secretary.
“Wike and the duo of Damagum and Anyanwu are being used by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to destroy the PDP, weaken its capacity for effective opposition for an easy way for Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections…” But reacting to reports of the $2 m gifts to lawmakers, Senator Moro said, “As far as I am concerned no PDP senator has been given a dime that I know of to stoke any crisis.
“And a few of my colleagues that I have spoken with so far have not expressed anything near that one.
“Let me say this, there are too much fake news around in recent times. If PDP lawmakers in the House of Reps were given $2 million to stoke crisis in the party how come 60 members as they say kicked against the continued stay of Damagum.
The relevant organs of the party are aware of the provisions of the constitution, and are aware of all our activities, and should know what to do when such allegations arise.”
Meanwhile, on calls for Wike’s suspension over anti-party activities, the national leadership of the opposition party said that on March 26 it directed the chairmen of the 36 state chapters and the Federal Capital Territory to identify their members involved in anti-party activities during the 2023 general elections.
The PDP National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, disclosed this at a meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) with state chairmen in Abuja.
Amid the crisis, the camp of Wike emerged victorious at the recently concluded 98th NEC of the party. NEC, which is the party’s second highest decision making body, endorsed the Amb. Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC).
Damagum will continue as the acting national chairman of the party, pending the election of a new chairman in August.
