Following the bribery allegations levelled against the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, the opposition wing of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), has urged him to surrender himself to anti-grant agencies for investigation over the mismanagement of about N10bn realised from the sale of party’s nomination forms.
The CUPP-opposition wing called on the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) to, as a matter of urgency, reverse its earlier decision on Ayu and consider his immediate replacement.
Spokesperson of the CUPP-opposition wing, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, in a statement on Friday, expressed shock that Ayu and the party’s national secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, were allegedly gradually looting over N10 billion realised by the party from nomination fees paid by aspirants for elective offices in 2023 elections.
“Just recently Ayu was again alleged to have received N1 billion from a presidential aspirant in Lagos, without remitting same to the party, and the money was said to be given to him to in order to influence proceedings ahead of the parties primaries in Abuja back in May.
“We are very worried about the constant allegations trailing the party under Ayu’s leadership. Ayu and Anyanwu continue stay in office is creating more crisis, disunity in the party and will hamper PDP chances in 2023. The duo’s sack including the deputy chair, North who were involved in sharing party funds will not only benefit and unite the party, it will also enable all aggrieved members to come together and work for the party’s victory in 2023,” Ugochinyere said.
He added that, “The two party leaders are carrying out internal anti and divisive activities which have been polarising the party. I call on the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to press it on chieftains of the party and Ayu on the need to save the party from further polarisation and loss of our base in the South. This can be achieved by ensuring that PDP National Chairman, Senator Ayu quits the party now alongside the National Secretary, Anyanwu. Anyanwu is working hard for the Imo State Governor, Uzodinma, on a mission to destroy Imo PDP.”
