Politics
PDP Crisis Worsen As NWC Members, Arapaja, Dan Orbih, Others Return N122.4m Received From PDP
Published
3 years agoon
By
Editor
No fewer than four members of the National Working Committee Peoples Democratic Party have returned N122.4 million paid into their accounts by the main opposition party leader.
There had been media reports that the PDP’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, allegedly paid over N100m to the NWC members after the party’s primaries.
The money was said to be part of the over N10 billion realised by the party from nomination fees paid by aspirants.
The NWC members who returned the money are 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.
While Arapaja got N36 million, Adagunodo, Orbih and Effah-Attoe got N28.8 million each.
READ ALSO: PDP Crisis Deepens As Wike Orders Arrest Of Atiku’s Ally In Rivers
But in a letter to the PDP leadership notifying Ayu of returning the money, Orbi wrote claimed that he was only notified of the payment by his bank without any description.
The letter dated Thursday and sighted by our correspondent read, “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.”
Also, Adagunodo in his letter to Ayu wrote, “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 the Sum of Twenty Eight Million Eight Hundred Thousand Naira (#28,800,000:00) back to the Peoples Democratic Party, Account Number: 1000095003 at Globus Bank PLC. The receipt of the payment back to the account is attached.”
Effah-Attoe in her letter claimed that when she inquired about the N28,800,000,00 paid to her account, she was told by Ayu’s office that the amount was for house rent for two years as NWC members.
The letter read, “When I enquired from your Office, I was told that the said sum is for Two
(2) years House Rent for me, as a member of The National Working Committee.
“Since after the lodgment of the money into my Bank Account, I have 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 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.
“In addition, some National Newspapers/Social Media Platforms have also carried stories accusing the NC members of being placated with Bribe of N28,800,000.00.
“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.”
READ ALSO: 2023 Election: Atiku Addresses PDP Crisis Amid Wike’s Opposition
On his part, Arapaja wrote, “I observed a malicious story reported in the Nations Newspaper of 26th
September 2022; where it was alleged that members of the National Working Committee were offered humongous amount of money to silent us over an allegation of financial misappropriation to the tune of Fifteen Billion Nara (N15,000,000,000.00).
“This led me to browse through my various alerts, and I discovered a transfer of Thirty-Six Million Naira (N36,000,000.00) from the Party.
“I have my reservation about this money transferred into my account and for personal reasons wish to return it accordingly.”
PUNCH
See the letters below:
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Politics
Ekiti 2026: APC Aspirant Slams Oyebanji For Threatening Party Leaders
Published
7 hours agoon
August 24, 2025By
Editor
An All Progressives Congress aspirant in the 2026 governorship election, Kayode Ojo, on Sunday, tackled Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for threatening party chairman in the local government area and wards not to entertain any other contender.
Ojo, who said that the governor’s waning popularity had pushed him to desperation, said, “This threat is not only ludicrous, but also vexatious and aptly demonstrates to all and sundry that the governor intends to turn the APC into his private fiefdom and family inheritance.”
The APC aspirant, represented by the Chairman, Consultative Forum of Kayode Ojo, Olukayode Oluyemo, who spoke at a press conference in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, expressed confidence that Ojo would win the party’s October 27, 2025 primary election despite alleged attacks and harassment from Oyebanji’s camp.
He restarted his determination to govern Ekiti State to redress what he called “the inexplicable stagnation ravaging Ekiti State despite the huge monthly allocation from the Federation Account as well as the state’s potential for development and growth.”
READ ALSO:Ekiti Govt Issues BEDC Seven-day Ultimatum Over Power Outage
He spoke in reaction to a statement credited to Oyebanji on Friday while receiving his APC expression of interest and nomination forms from a group within the Ekiti State University Alumni Association, which obtained the forms for him.
Oyebanji was quoted to have said, “I want to see the local government, I want to see the local government chairman and the ward chairman of APC that will open their doors and offices for these people. I want to know the party member that will receive them.”
But Ojo described the governor’s threat as a “violation of APC Constitution on the issue that members of the party are free to associate and to hold meetings with any aspirant in as much that they belong to the same party. We are members of APC, I don’t see why the governor is violating this constitutional provision.
“It is our party, so we are calling on the national executives of our party in Abuja to caution him so that he will not destroy APC.
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“The governor is as well violating the Nigerian constitution, which has made it very clear that everybody has the right to associate. Everybody has the right to switch, I mean to pick your candidates and hold meetings at anywhere as long as you are not holding the meeting to rob or to cause criminal activities.
“So Mr Governor of Ekiti State should trust softly, be a democrat, obey the constitution of Nigeria and obey the constitution of our party, APC”.
Oluyemo, who said that Ojo’s friends and supporters, who had provided cash for his nomination and expression of interest forms, disclosed that they would pick the forms at APC National Secretariat in Abuja on Monday.
He said that the group had been mobilising APC members ahead of the forthcoming primaries to enable Ojo pick the party ticket, saying, “The problem we have been having is attacks from the side of the government, which probably feels that there should not be any opposition.
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“We are not opposition members. We are members of the same party.
We only have our preferred aspirant, who we are backing to emerge as flagbearer.”
The group’s chairman, who alleged that Ojo’s supporters were being framed up and arrested for fictitious offences, called on police leadership in the state and at the federal level “to provide a level playing ground for all APC members to choose and follow their preferred aspirants preparatory to the party’s governorship primary election.”
He stated, “We equally plead with the leadership of APC in Ekiti State to eschew partisanship and embrace all governorship aspirants as one in the APC family.
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“We also plead with President Bola Tinubu and the national leadership of our great party to caution Governor Oyebanji against ordering the arrest, harassment and maiming of APC members in Ekiti State. The forthcoming primary election is not a do-or-die affair,” he said.
Oluyemo urged supporters “to remain steadfast, law abiding and patriotic and unshakably loyal to the cause by stepping up mobilisation efforts across the 16 local government areas of the state without any fear as the day of liberation draws near”.

Benue State House of Assembly on Sunday elected Alfred Emberger as its new speaker.
The appointment came shortly after the resignation of the former speaker, Aondona Dajoh.
The new speaker is one of the four members suspended last Friday for attempting to remove the former speaker.
At the plenary session held on Sunday and presided over by the deputy speaker, Lami Danaldi-Ogenyi, the house resolved to lift the suspension on the four members.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Benue Assembly Speaker Aondona Dajoh Resigns
The majority leader, Saater Tiseer, who said that the plenary was an emergency one, moved a motion for the lifting of the suspension on the four members and was seconded by Samuel Jiji of Logo state constituency.
The deputy speaker said, “Following the motion raised by the majority leader and supported by members of the house, this house has resolved to lift the suspension of the four members.”
After lifting the suspension, the four members were ushered into the chamber, and the nomination of the new speaker was announced.
A member representing the Makurdi South state constituency, Douglas Akyaa, moved a motion and nominated Emberger for the position of new speaker, seconded by Abu Umoru of the Apa state constituency.
READ ALSO:BREAKING: Benue Assembly Suspends Four Members For Attempting To Impeach Speaker
While there was no other nomination, the new speaker took the oath of office administered by the Clerk of the house, John Hwande
The new speaker, in his acceptance speech, commended the former speaker for his service and commitment to the progress of the house and the people of the state.
He further said, “To my esteemed colleagues, I assure you that this leadership will be anchored on inclusiveness, fairness and respect for diverse opinions.
“This house under my watch will work harmoniously with the executive and judiciary while maintaining our independence in line with the principle of separation of powers.”
Politics
JUST IN: Benue Assembly Speaker Aondona Dajoh Resigns
Published
9 hours agoon
August 24, 2025By
Editor
The Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Aondona Dajoh, has resigned from his position.
According to Channels TV, the resignation is contained in a letter dated August 24, 2025, and titled “Resignation as the Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly.”
Dajoh said his decision was made in good faith and in the interest of the state.
“I write to resign my position as the Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, effective today, August 24, 2025. This is done in good faith and in the best interest of the state. I want to appreciate my dear colleagues for the opportunity they gave me to be the first among equals,” the letter, personally signed by Dajoh, read in part.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Benue Assembly Suspends Four Members For Attempting To Impeach Speaker
Dajoh, who represents Gboko West State Constituency, pledged to continue serving as a legislator.
“I pledge to remain committed to my duties as a legislator and representative of Gboko West State Constituency,” he added.
Details about who will replace Dajoh had not been released at the time of filing this report.
The House is expected to follow its standing orders to fill the vacancy and name a new speaker in line with legislative procedure.
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