Politics

PDP NWC Members Entitled To Allowances Paid To Their Accounts

Kola Ologbondiyan

The immediate past spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kola Ologbondiyan, has said there is no issue with the money paid into the accounts of some members of the National Working Committee (NWC).

Naija News reports that six PDP NWC members announced the return of the sum of N93.6 million paid to their bank accounts by the National Chairman of the party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu.

The members that returned the money include, the National Vice Chairman (South-West), Olasoji Adagunodo, the Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja; National Vice Chairman (South), Dan Orbih and National Women Leader, Stella Affah-Attoe.

The PDP chieftains, in different statements, claimed that they received the notification of the payment from their bank accounts without any description or purpose.

Reacting, the PDP denied reports that the amounts returned by six members of the NWC members were paid as bribes, stating that funds were for their housing allowance.

In a statement by its spokesman on Thursday, Debo Ologunagba, the opposition party said the money went through due process before being paid into their accounts.

Speaking on Friday during an interview with Arise News, Ologbondiyan said the amounts paid to the party chieftains were legal and not bribes as claimed in the media.

He corroborated the party’s earlier statement that the amounts were meant for transport and housing allowances, adding that NWC members are entitled to the funds.

The former PDP spokesman said he was surprised and shocked that the officials claimed not to know the purpose of the money.

He said: “The founders of the PDP created what is known as the establishment profile of the party. And this establishment rule contains the structure of the party and what members can do and cannot do. It is a body of rule guiding the party outside the constitution.

“It is also good to understand that party leaders, who are officers of the party, have no salaries. Their entitlement is in allowances. I know there are housing and transportation allowances.

“Based on my experience, when you assume office as a member of NWC, you must submit your account number to the party’s finance directorate. So whenever your entitlements are ready, they will be paid into your account.

“It is totally strange that any officer of the party will come out and say money was paid into my account and I do not know how the money was paid and the purpose.

“There is no way this issue would not be debated in the NWC with minutes taken. The money is legitimately earned. It is totally strange that people are talking about money legitimately earned as if it was a bribe.”

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