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PDP crisis: Shock, disbelief as fraud allegations unsettle Ayu, Atiku
Amidst weighty allegations of corruption hovering around his office, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Iyorchia Ayu is expected back to Nigeria today, Friday.
However, unlike when he departed the country to Europe with fanfare, that may not be said of his return trip as he is coming back to face a court of public opinion, with his colleagues in the National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP making shocking revelations.
Barely one week ago, Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike in what appears to be blowing the lead, had accused Ayu of engaging in corrupt practices.
However, not many took Wike’s allegations seriously, considering his long drawn war with the chairman ever since the party conducted its presidential primary election, which Wike lost to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Wike, answering questions from journalists, alleged that Ayu received N1 billion from one of the presidential hopefuls in the party.
He went further to say that Ayu is corrupt, and that the chairman cannot deny that he received the money but refused to remit it to the party’s account.
“Ayu is very corrupt. I’m totally informed. Ayu has the opportunity to challenge me, I will name the person.
“Some of the governors can tell you. Will he deny the fact that he didn’t collect N1 billion from Lagos? Let him deny it, I will tell him who gave him the money not from the Lagos state government, the money was given to him in Lagos.
“He met one of the presidential candidates and told him that he’s not sure these governors may want to sponsor the party.
“That money did not enter into the account of PDP, but we are not attacking Ayu on that basis.”
That was a strong cannon shot from Wike but no reply came from Ayu who has been outside the country.
However, while Nigerians were still expecting Ayu to react to the grave allegations, more can of worms were opened on Thursday, with at least four members of the Ayu-led NWC rejecting suspicious money paid into their accounts.
The money totalling over N122 million has already been returned to the PDP account, with each of the recipients dropping a note for Ayu.
Those who returned the money included the National Vice Chairman (South-West) Olasoji Adagunodo, the Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja; National Vice Chairman (South), Chief Dan Orbih and National Women Leader, Prof. Stella Affah-Attoe.
Details in their letters show that Arapaja got N36 million, Adagunodo, Orbih and Effah-Attoe got N28.8 million each.
Orbih, in the letter he addressed to Ayu said, “My attention has been drawn to a damaging trending story reported in THE NATION Newspaper by Yusuf Alli on September 26, 2022 titled ‘Disquiet in PDP NW over N10 billion nomination fees.’ Amongst several other allegations, he alleged that members of the NWC were offered N28 million to gloss over scandalous financial misappropriation.
“To my shock and surprise, it has been confirmed to me by my bank that the sum of N28, 800,000. (Twenty-eight million eight hundred thousand Naira) has been credited to my account by the party. 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.”
DAILY POST reports that other members of the NWC wrote similar letters to Ayu, indicating their rejection of the questionable fund.
One of them, Effah-Attoe said upon enquiry, she was told the money was meant for her two-year rent.
She, however, said phone calls from party members, friends, family members and the general public, were suggestive that the money was a bribe “to bring me and other NWC members on the side of The National Chairman, following the crisis between him on one side and the Governor of Rivers State, H.E Governor Nyesom Wike/ Wike’s Group on the other side.”
The development is said to have unsettled the PDP top hierarchy, including the camp of the presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who see the unfolding events as not good for the party, especially with the commencement of campaigns.
“Remember that one of the reasons the party was voted out in 2015 was owing to monumental corruption in governance; now this is happening.
“The feeling everywhere is that Wike has been proved right; there is disquiet everywhere.
“This is happening at a very bad time because it will be difficult for the party to go and talk to the electorates about anti-corruption when its house is tainted with several unresolved fraud allegations.
“Frankly, most of the party leaders are in shock over this development and the most honourable thing for the national chairman to do now is to resign. This is no longer about Wike. If Ayu has the interest of the party at heart, he should just give way.
“There is no way he can lead the party into a general election with this kind of baggage; it will be difficult to clean this mess before the election,” the top party source said.
As of the time of filing this report, there is still graveyard silence from the PDP leadership over these allegations.
Resign, hand yourself over to EFCC – HURIWA to Ayu
Meanwhile, a civil rights activist, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, National Coordinator of the Human Right Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has said the happenings in the PDP was an indication that the party had not changed from its old ways.
Onwubiko told DAILY POST that the right thing was for Ayu to resign and surrender himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
According to him, “The corruption unearthed in the hierarchy of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as disclosed by some notable leaders and members of the National Executive Committee of the party who refunded humongous bribes paid into their account allegedly by Iyorchia Ayu shows that it is difficult for a Leopard to change its colour.
“Both the PDP and the All Progressives Congress are twin evils because in both of their leaderships there is total absence of accountability and transparency and this is because of how the Chairmen of these parties emerged through corrupt means.
“PDP Chairman should do his party the favour of resigning and handing himself over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for investigation and possible prosecution.
“It is a crying shame that the PDP that ought to work hard to convince voters about its determination to push out the absolutely corrupt and power drunk government of President Muhammadu Buhari is itself weakened by avarice, greed and corruption.
“It’s a big opportunity for voters in Nigeria to be determined to sack both the PDP and the APC.”
News
Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.
He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”
“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”
Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.
News
Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.
In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.
Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote
Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.
The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.
‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.
President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded
News
Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.
The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.
In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.
He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”
The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.
Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.
“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”
Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.
“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”
The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.
By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.
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